"The global financial crisis has not bypassed Israel. Last year, 20 percent of bond-issuing companies were in difficulties according to our calculations. Looking ahead to this year we estimate that in addition to that 20%, another 8% of the companies will face debt repayment difficulties," ISA chairman Zohar Goshen said at a capital market conference in Jerusalem.
"The majority of companies expected to face problems in recycling debt are real estate companies, many of which have active operations in Israel and not necessarily only in Eastern Europe," Goshen said.
