The Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) accepted Israel into its ranks, as its 32^nd member. The 31 current member countries of the OECD unanimously approved Israel as a new member. The OECD praised Israel as one of the few economies in the world to show growth in 2009, during the world economic crisis. The OECD expects Israel’s economy to grow at least 3.5% in 2010.Membership in the OECD, which includes the major players in the global economy, will enhance Israel’s ability to conduct an ongoing dialogue with representatives of these economies; boost its credit rating and strengthen is ties with foreign investors. Israel was invited to open accession talks in 2007.As part of the three- year accession process, Israel has had to comply with the norms and standards upheld by the 31 OECD member countries in the fields of financial markets, anti-corruption legislation, technology and innovation, and investment.