World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Jerusalem  - Business
Business

Business Profile: One of the most commonly quoted sayings about Israel's three main cities goes 'Jerusalem prays and Tel Aviv plays, but Haifa works'. As befits the chief city of the Holy Land, Jerusalem is not a place that is particularly attached to Mammon.

Despite being Israel's capital and most populous city, Jerusalem is significantly poorer than Tel Aviv and Haifa. Most residents of Jerusalem are employed in public and community services and their average income is significantly below those of workers in other major Israeli cities.

In recent years, Jerusalem's city council has been making great efforts to expand the level of high-tech industry and tourism in the capital in order to boost levels of income and to slow down the movement of younger residents to places such as Tel Aviv and Haifa. But given that Jerusalem has Israel's largest municipality and is the seat of the national government, the predominance of public sector employment will inevitably remain for quite some time.

Nevertheless, certain export-oriented industries are beginning to flourish in Jerusalem. By 1998, there were more than 200 high-tech companies in the city, compared with just 30 in 1990. Other industries also strongly represented in Jerusalem are printing, publishing, textiles and clothing.

Jerusalem's central commercial district is to be found in West Jerusalem, in the area known as the Russian Compound, between Jaffa Road and Shvite Yisrael.

Business Etiquette

Jerusalem has a relatively informal approach to business etiquette. Suits and ties are worn but more relaxed clothing while doing business or attending meetings is tolerated. However, punctuality is one courtesy that is universally respected. As Israel receives many of its cultural and economic influences from the United States, the tendency is to be direct in personal business communication, so plain speaking and a willingness to make eye contact are much appreciated.

Business hours in Jerusalem are 0830-1730/1800, Sunday to Thursday. On Fridays, businesses shut at 1230 for the Sabbath, which is Saturday.



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