Economy Minister Nir Barkat met with a delegation of ambassadors from Southeast Asia and Oceania in Jerusalem. The delegation included representatives from China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
During the meeting, the diplomats wore yellow ribbon badges as a symbol of their call for the immediate release of Israelis captured by Hamas terrorists. Nir Barkat urged Israel's allies to help pressure Hamas to bring the hostages home.
Minister Barkat presented his strategic program for developing the Israeli economy. He also expressed gratitude to the Asian and Oceanian envoys for their support in the fight against terror and for understanding the necessity of countering Hamas.
"I was pleased to have this important meeting with ten diplomatic representatives from countries with significant political and economic influence," Barkat stated. "We agreed to expand cooperation with Asian economies to enhance and strengthen our economic and trade relations."
