The Canadian Jewish News; li^ 1, 1991-Page 7
LEORA FRUCHT
TEL AVIV-
When Louise Leger arrived in Israel to take up her post as Canadian Trade Commissioner, she was followed by 200,000 people.
Or so it seems to the New Brunswick-born diplomat whose term in Israel has coincided with the massive wave of immigration firom the Soviet Union, an event that quickly determined her number one priority; getting housing contracts for Canadian firms.
"As soon as it became clear to us that the wave of immigration was about to become a flood and that a major building boom was imminent, we alerted Ottawa," recalls Leger. *'Soon we were inundated with architects* drawings and construction firms* brochures." '
Leger helped arrange visits to Israel for a num-" -i^rofCanadian-builders-and contractors. But tqdate not one Caiiadiaii firm has won a housing contract.
Leger. clearly disappointed about this, enumerates some of the obstacles ■ that have prevented her efforts from bearing fruit.
First, she cites the 10 per cent tariff on pre-fabricated homes supplied from any-. where other than the United States and Europe (with which "Israel has free trade agreements). "This amounts to a discriminato-r>' tariff against Canadian builders and gives Americans and Europeans a clear competitive edge.*' she argues, noting that Canadian requests to remove the 10 per cent tariff have been turned down.
An Israeli offer to sign a free trade agreement with Canada, which would eliminate this tariff, has been greeted coolly by Canada. Leger acknowledges that the accord would not jeopardize Canadian trade in any way. But she says that Canadians are adverse to even the mention of the words "free ".' ' trade.'*. , .
"Many blame Canada's current recession on the free trade agreement with the United States, so it's extremely unlikely that the government will agree to sign another free trade agreement with anyone- at this time, Even an offer by : Japan was rejected recently.'' she notes.
In any event, the tariff issue has become less reje-
a new Israeli law. forbidding the import of any prefabricated homes (so as not to take away jobs from Israeli builders). The rule stipulates that homes must be built with 75 per cent Is-_^„. raeli components. Foreign construction firms, includ-
another obstacle as well. Initially Canadian building standards were considered acceptable by Israeli authorities. Leger recalls that a number of Canadian companies had their plans approved by the committee in charge;. Later, the authorities withdrew this blanket approval of Canadian building standards, arguing that Israel is not used to wood frame construction which would have to be closely examined. Leger calls this position, ' 'another non-tariff barrier,** charging that it substantially increases the cost and time involved in submitting a building plan for approval.
"Canadians find it difficult to cope with these rapidly changing rules and tariff problems,'* she says.
Most recently, a delegation of Canadian builders that had been scheduled to visit Israel in July was postponed. The main reason — the members prefer to wait a few months to see how the new Soviet emigration law will affect the flow of Jews to Israel. Leger says she hopes to resch«lule the visit for October, by which time the situation should be clearer.
Despite this string of setbacks, Leger remains optimistic and, in her own words, "stubbornly determined to make this effort bear fruit.'*.
She notes that the last two months have seen an unprecented number of
Canadian business people visiting Israel —, some 70; of these, 50 were housing contractors. "Some of these people have already visited Israel three or four times and have submitted architectural plans. They have already invested a considerable amount of time and money in finding a niche in the Israeli housing market. I don't believe they're going to give up now." '■'
Leger is also hopeful that after several months of studying Canadian building standards, the Israeli committee will soon grant its approval to the Canadian system. ;
She also has her sights set on the next series of government housing tenders; definitely don't believe it's too late. Even if we put aside housing, I think this immigration has created many other opportunities. The rapid growth of the population will also require expanding the existing infrastructure. Israel will need more schools, hospitals, railroads, and energy — all of which are areas in which Canada has expertise.''
As for housing, Leger says she believes it will take a long time until the market is saturated since there was a housing shortage in Israel even before the Russian immigration. In any case, she says, a number of the interested Canadian contractors haye their sights on long-term
ventures that go beyond the Israeli market. "A number of them are looking at setting up shop here permanently, with the hope of using Israel as a stepping stone to Europe. (Since Is;^ rael has a free trade agreement with Europe, a. Canadian company that establishes a joint business with an Israeli firm would gain access to Europe.)
"This is an attractive incentive. It opens the way to what is expected to provide a major market in the near future — Eastern Europe. It's also important to form alliances like this in an age in which world trade is being conducted more and more along the lines of blocs. If you're not part of a trading bloc you' regoing to be left out."
It's clear that Leger feels a personal stake in the Soviet Jewish immigration. She doesn't speak of the number of immigrants that "Israel" is expecting, but rather the number of immigrants that "we" are expecting. "You do tend to " identify with the country you're stationed in,'' .she admits. '
Perhaps the surest sign of Leger's confidence that her trade efforts will ulti-niately bear fruit is the fact that she plans to ask Ottawa to extend her three-year term (due to end in August 1992.) "I want to be sure that I'm around when C a nad i a ri~ coii^ t rii c t i 0 ri projects in Israel finally do get" off the ground,'' she says, smiling.
ing Canadian ones, are now looking at how to best exploit the remaining 25 per cent (which is not'Subject to tariffs). Most companies are looking for local Israeli partners.
But Canadian builders. have come lip against
SWEENEY TODD
The new Isriaeli Opera production of Sweeney Todd recently opened in Tel Aviv's Noga Theatre. Ainiiencan opera star Timothy Nolen-has the lead role in the story of the demon barber. The part of the baker is played by Robin Weizel Capsutto (left). The qpcning was celebrated at the Sheraton Hotel, where the chef presented the cast with a pie. [IPPA photol
ALL STORES OPEN ON MONDAY AUGUST 5. 1991 FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
DRIVE SAFELY
AND HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND'
ICE CREAM
Assorted Varieties
HOSTESS CHIPS OR CHEETOS SNACKS
Assorted Varieties
FOOD CITY FRUIT DRINKS
■ Assorted Varieties
I case of 9 X 3 X 2S0 ml tetrd boxes
WE SELL
GiAn
KOSHER MEATS
AT CLARK 0 HILDA FOOD CITY Under the supervision of fhe Koshruth Council, Orthodox Division, Toronto Jewish Congress, our Deef, Veoi and Lamb is "Glott Kosher".
Our guorontee is to offer the best selection of Glott Kosher meats or exceptionally competitive prices.
Please see our friendly sfoff who will welcome the opportunity to discuss your speciol needs.
DUTCHER'S PRIDE
MEATS
GLAH KOSHER PRIME RIB ROASTS OR STEAKS
Cut From ComxJa Grade A Beef, 1 stto 6tr ,
VALUE 2.00 « .14 GST I
COKE OR SPRITE
. Selected Varieties, Regulor or Diet i Case of 24 X 35SmLTins
Mlil fori 7.0< POT 100 fni .
ftikm Met WMiDut
UMt(Mc«tp» atfrn-limtttioam
COKE OR SPRITE
Varieties, Regular or Diet
750 ml ret. bH.
unit ntl 7.9< pclOOml
GOLD'S BEET BORSCHT
Regular or Russian
32-oz. jar
SPEARS PRUNE JUICE
32-fl. oz. jar
1.29
Osetn
FARFEl ■ ^
250g pkg. f
Ungar Cherry.- Apt icot or
STRAWBERRY JAM
250 ml jar
■White Of Coloured
ARAVAH, PROCESSED "HEESESUCES .
1 kg pkg.
MARKET GARDEN
'lb. .
13.21 kg
FRESH! CHICKEN BREAST QUARTERS
Kosher. Frozeii
EMPIRE
BBQ CHICKENS
4.39 kg lb.
1.99
FRESH! RED SPRING SAIMON .
S'eaki 13.20 kg lb. V V
FRESH! PEACHES
. Product of Ontario, Canada. No.
BROCCOLI
Product of Ontario
ea.
P'odjct o( Conock) Conodo No,'!
HEAD LETTUCE
ea.
FIELD. :■
CITY DELI
DAKE SHOP
Perls, Kosher
CREAMY COLESlAW
.44 100 g lb.
Perl's. Kosher
PASTRAM
6t Clorli « HiWo (ood City Only.
2.20 100 g lb.
BABKA
— 450 g
LARGE RYE BREAD
680 g
Prices effe<tive from Mondoy, July 29 until closing Saturday, Aug 3,1991.
I »<ghtt r*>*rvvd to linx. quoMrtwi. Som* it**"! maiioM* o1 C»orV A Hilda Food City Only.
•. *dv«rtiMd pocct do not includ* C.S.T.
tOSIlUlT SOUAII .
jooocmr > -
I4S MARlll AVINUf .
tATNUIST
Fooo.cmr
6J0I MrHUtSI $1,
CURK « HILDA
rooo cm
44 CUtK (AIHIIOA)
UMK ST. ICA
iUi USUI ST.
KOSHtR MAT «*Ai(i«T: v.......v. 'vW. ■, ,v..,. ~ f i?' .> .V i .- ■ S.i^..»j. (icMii
CHICK YOO« lOCAl STO«l TO* HOURS.