International Business

Vietnam, Israel Sign Pacts: The two countries signed their first economic agreements in Hanoi, Israel’s Finance Ministry said. Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Shochat and Vietnamese Finance Minister Ho Te signed agreements to bolster cooperation, increase tourism and ease customs regulations, said a statement released by the Israeli ministry. Shochat arrived in Vietnam after a visit to South Korea and before traveling to Thailand and India. Israeli exports to Vietnam were worth $5 million in 1995, and its imports from Vietnam were worth $1.2 million. Israel exported a total of about $27 billion worth of goods and services in 1995.