The Israel Export Institute appointed Ami Erel as its new Chairman replacing David Artzi after four year years in office.

Erel was appointed in an unanimous vote at the annual meeting of the Israel Export Institute on Tuesday in Tel Aviv. Erel was recommended as a candidate by Israel Manufacturers' Association Shraga Brosh and approved by Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer.

Erel, is President & CEO of Discount Investment Corporation, which is part of the IDB Group in addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cellcom Israel Ltd., Koor Industries Ltd. and NetVision Ltd. Erel also serves as a director of Elron Electronic Industries Ltd., Property and Building Corporation Ltd., Shufersal, and Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd.

Prior to that (1997-1999) he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bezeq Israel Telecommunications Corp. Ltd., and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of PelePhone Communications Ltd. (1997-1998).

Erel also served as Chairman of the executive Committee, of the Israel Manufacturers Association (2005-2008) while prior to that (2000-2004) he served as Chairman of the Board of Israel Association of Electronics and Information Industries.

Erel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electronic engineering from the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, in Haifa.