ISRAEL DIGEST

Specially compiled by The Jerusalem Post

—$1 EQUALS 2.9940 NIS (shekels) - Close Price 4/6/94 —

Bank Official Optimistic, But...

Economic growth in Israel will
be close to 5 to 6 percent per
annum over the next three
years, predicts Amiram Sivan,
chairman of Bank Hapoalim's
board of management.
Mr. Sivan said his optimistic
forecast is dependent on gov-
ernment policy. At a Tel Aviv
press conference, he said a
change in the government's ex-
port policy or any other factor
will influence the growth rate.

The seatbelt dummies (Aaron and Mike Cooper) and McGruff get together at a previous Law Fair.

Southfield Law

Fair fare: Free legal advice for adults,
plenty of entertainment for kids.

STEVE STEIN STAFF WRITER

udge Stephen C. Cooper
cue vehicles and a marine chase
was skeptical eight years
boat.
ago. He wasn't sure his
More than 50 booths will be
idea of an annual Detroit
set up with information on top-
Metropolitan Regional Law Fair
ics like home security, driving,
would be a success.
title insurance, divorce, wills,
"That's one reason why I de-
trusts, the Bill of Rights, alco-
cided to have it at Tel-12 Mall,"
hol and other drug abuse and
said Judge Cooper, chief judge
treatment. Persons can register
of the 46th District Court in
to vote through the League of
Southfield."' really didn't know
Women Voters.
if anybody wanted to come to a
"Parents and grandparents
law fair. I figured there would
are always looking for an inter-
be b ople shopping in the mall
esting place to take kids for free,
that day and I hoped they would
and I think the Law Fair cer-
stop by."
tainly fulfills that need," Judge
Well, people came to the fair.
Cooper said.
And they haven't stopped corn-
"With all the information that
ing.
The eighth annual legal
extravaganza will be held
from noon to 5 p.m. May 1
at Tel-12 and, once again,
thousands are expected to
attend the free event at the
Southfield shopping center.
As always, there will be
both serious and fun sides
to the fair, which is staffed
by volunteers.
More than 100 attorneys
will provide free legal
consultations on subjects
like wills, probate, divorce,
real estate, immigration,
criminal law and traffic mat-
1111.11101.116111 4
ters.
Lawyers provide free counsel for Law Fair attendees.
Meanwhile, kids can
watch Vince and Larry, the tele-
will be available on alcohol and
vision seatbelt dummies,
drugs, we've found this a good
demonstrate how air bags work;
time for families to talk about
meet McGruff, the crime-fight-
those subjects without it being
ing dog, who will have free col-
an awkward moment.
oring books and balloons and
"What we've also discovered
assist in fingerprinting for chil-
through the years is people have
dren; and chat with"Trooper
a lot of questions about their
Mac," the State Police's remote-
rights and responsibilities.
controlled robot who talks and
That's good. Our legal system
shows videos on his tummy.
can be complicated, but it works
Youngsters also can get an
best with informed citizens."
up-close look at police and res-
Judge Cooper said the first

j

fair took about a year to plan.
Now, about six months of prepa-
ration time is needed.
Organizations involved in
this year's fair include Allstate
Insurance Group, American Ar-
bitration Association, American
Civil Liberties Union, Birming-
ham-Bloomfield Families in Ac-
tion, Conrail Police Department,
Crime Busters, FAMILY, Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), 46th District Court,
HAVEN, League of Women Vot-
ers.
Also, MADD, I'vlaplegrove
Community Education, Michi-
gan Department of State, Michi-
gan Liquor Control
Commission, Michigan State
Police, National Congress for
Men & Children, Oakland
County Bar Association,
Oakland County Sheriffs
Department-Marine Divi-
sion, Oakland Livingston Le-
gal Aid, Optimist Club of
Southfield-Lathrup.
Also, Pontiac Oakland
County Legal News, Project
Pride, Settlement Center,
State Bar of Michigan,
Southfield Bar Association,
Southfield Emergency Man-
agement, Southfield Human
Resources Department,
Southfield Police Depart-
ment, Southfield Police Re-
serve, U.S. Arbitration and
Mediation, U.S. Marshall's Ser-
vice, U.S. Secret Service and
Women's Survival Center.
Southfield Emergency Man-
agement, headed by Col. Joe
Glazer, has been participating
in the fair since its first year. On
May 1, it will offer literature on
subjects like tornado safety and
emergency procedures and it
will provide fingerprinting for
children. ❑

"There is an ongoing dis-
pute over whether the growth
rate will be 3-4 percent, or 5-
6 percent. I think growth will
be closer to the higher figure,"
said Mr. Sivan.
"The year 1994 will be char-
acterized by a higher growth
rate than in 1993. In 1994,
various sectors, including the
construction sector, will grow
at a faster rate than in 1993."

Tax Revenues Leap 10 Percent

Tax revenues in Israel jumped
10 percent in the first quarter
of the year, reflecting vigorous
economic activity, but the pace
slackened somewhat in March
due to seasonal factors, State
Revenues Director Yoram
Gabbai reported.
Last month, tax revenues
totaled NIS 5.8 billion, repre-
senting a 4 percent real in-

crease compared to March of
last year.
During the first quarter,
revenues reached MS 17.6 bil-
lion. When the figures are ad-
justed for the MS 260 million
in lost revenues due to leg-
islative changes, they reflect
a 12 percent increase from the
first quarter of 1993.

Report Questions Israel's Growth

Israel's ability to compete in
world markets has not im-
proved in the past year, ac-
cording to the annual report
of the Israel Institute of Pro-
ductivity.
The report notes the coun-
try's trade deficit is growing,
with imports increasing at the
rate of one percent a month
(not including diamonds). Ex-
ports during the second half
last year stood at the same lev-

el as during the first hall This
bodes ill for the prospects of
economic growth, the report
says.
Institute director-general
Yosef Duriel said the "invest-
ment balance" also continues
to be negative, as more dollars
are leaving the country for in-
vestment abroad than are be-
ing invested in Israel by
foreigners.

Teva Joins Forces With French Firm

Teva Pharmaceutical Indus-
tries of Israel has purchased
a 34 percent stake in the
French-based Prographarm
International for $6.9 million.
Prographarm, which is en-
gaged in sustained released
pharmaceuticals and coding
technology, completed the fi-
nancial year ending March 31,
1994, with $17.5 million in to-
tal sales.
Teva already is cooperating

with Prographarm to develop
sustained released pharma-
ceuticals. The cooperation has
led to the sale of Diltiazem,
which Lemmon Company —
Teva's U.S. subsidiary — be-
gan marketing at the end of
last year.
Teva CEO Eli Hurvitz said
the company intends to in-
crease its presence in Western
Europe.

Bezek Signs Phone Contract

Bezek officials signed an
agreement with the Hungar-
ian national communications
company to build infrastruc-
ture for providing 100,000
phone lines there.
The project, which will be
carried out by a company set
up by the two partners, will
cost $70 million. Bezek will in-
vest $10 million it will raise
with the help of partners it
will co-opt for the deal; the rest

will come from the Hungari-
an government and the World
Bank. Bezek and the Hun-
garian company, Matav, won
an international tender issued
by the Hungarian govern-
ment.
Bezek managing director
Yitzhak Kaul said at the sign-
ing ceremony in Budapest
that the project will be the
largest ever carried out by
Hungary and Israel.

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