materials, rubber and plastic, printing and publishing, stone works (marble), paper and paper products, furniture and wood products, cosmetics, concrete, milling and crops, shoes and tanning, quarry materials and toys.The Construction Division operates under the association, uniting four entities: Nesher Cement Industries, the Association of Quarry Materials Manufacturers, the Association of Imported Concrete Manufacturers and the Association of Concrete Infrastructure Products. Israeli Hi-Tech Association: The association consists of about 300 companies in the fields of electronics, telecommunications, semiconductors, medical devices, IT and software. Membership in the association is open to any company dealing with design of electronics and software products with minimum added value of 45%. Members include private and public companies, state-owned enterprises and multinational companies. Maintaining Israel's Competitive Advantage: IAESI strives to maintain the competitive advantage of Israel's electronics and IT sector in the face of increasing competition from India, China and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Chemical, Pharmaceutical & Environmental Society: Established in 1979, the society consists of 120 enterprises that represent most of the chemical industrial output in Israel. The main objective is to create a supportive business environment for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries operating in Israel. Food Industries Association: The association is the professional body that represents Israel’s food sector, a highly competitive arena. The association has more than 160 enterprises members (of which more than 100 are exporters). The association deals with standardization, local legislation, foreign trade, marketing for the domestic market, exports, business intelligence and individual help to members in ad-hoc cases. Textile & Fashion Industries Association: Israel has a thriving textile and fashion industry with the “Made in Israel” label. Israeli companies manufacture swimwear, home textiles, underwear, casual and formal apparel, domestic textiles and military/security textiles as well as dyeing products, knitwear, carpets, rugs and raw materials. The association comprises more than 120 companies, of which more than 100 are engaged in exports and overseas sales. Israeli fashion began to earn a worldwide reputation in the 1960s, particularly in swimwear and beachwear. Israel is also known for its leather bags, gloves and shoes. Kibbutz Industry Association: The Kibbutz Industry Association signed an agreement with the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel in 2010 to formally represent, assist, and promote the Kibbutz industry and its members. Founded in 1962, the association is the umbrella organization of more than 250 industrial enterprises on kibbutzim, moshavim, and regional enterprises. Awards and recognition In 2008,