17 Whether it is down to generous welfare states, free market openness or a strong focus on education and responsibility, the Nordic model has many admirers. Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland have high standards of education, high economic productivity, high social equality, high social trust and high levels of personal happiness, according to many annual polls. The relationship between Israel and the Nordic countries may often appear complex at best, or negligible at worst, but the truth is very different, and it is continuing to change. The countries share many values and collaborations and trade continue to move in a very positive direction. Uptick in trade and interest between Israel and Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland pave the way for greater collaborations. Total Israeli exports to Nordics jumped 9.4% Israeli Imports from Norway 226.1 208.4 -7.8% Israeli Exports to Norway 57.1 58.3 +2.1% Israeli Imports from Sweden 730.0 706.3 -3.2% Israeli Exports to Sweden 130.1 158.4 +21.7% Israeli Imports from Denmark 297.5 323.2 +8.6% Israeli Exports to Denmark 94.1 98.5 +4.7% Israeli Imports from Finland 273.1 356.6 +30.6% Israeli Exports to Finland 50.4 47.8 -5.1% Israel’s total imports from these four countries 1,526 1,594 +4.5% Israel’s total exports to these four countries 331.7 363.0 +9.4% 2019 (USD m) 2020 (USD m) % year-onyear change Source: Import figures here and export figures here. All relate to commodities and are extracted from Israel’s Central Bureau Statistics (“CBS”).
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