RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/W/158
10 July 2000
(00-2804)
Council for Trade in Services Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM ISRAEL
Review of Article II Exemptions
Replies to Questions Posed on Israel's MFN Ex emptions in the Area of Audiovisual Services
in the Course of the Review of MFN Exemptions
The attached communication has been received from the delegation of Israel with the request
that it be circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
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A. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO 305:  "PLEASE PROVIDE THE
NAMES OF ALL THE COUNTRIES WITH WHICH ISRAEL HAS CONCLUDED A CO-
PRODUCTION AGREEMENT TO DATE"
1. To date Israel has concluded co-production agreements with the following countries:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
B. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED BY JAPAN NO. 306:  "PLEASE EXPLAIN IN
CONCRETE TERMS HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT SUCH "CULTURAL POLICY"
OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS (INRELATION TO THIS MEASURE)"
2. The Israeli government places great importance on cultural policy matters as a means of
strengthening and promoting national and cultural identity.  The MFN exemption was listed to
preserve preferences granted to a certain number of countries aiming at promoting both Israeli works
as well as greater diversity among foreign audiovisual works in the Israeli market.  This remains a keypolicy objective for Israel.
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