Israeli high-tech continues to provide investors with an impressive string of exits, with total deal value of more than $5bn for the fifth straight year.

This is the crux of an annual report released yesterday by PwC on the Israeli high-tech scene. The actual turnover in 2015 was around US$7.2 billion. Impressive as that absolute number is, now factor in the context. Israel is a small country with a small population, engulfed in a complex geopolitical environment and operating in a troubled world economy. In other words, US$7.2 billion is incredibly impressive.

The number of deals rose from 52 to 65. The largest one featured Fundtech, which was sold in the early summer for US$1.2 billion to D H Corp. The most consistent player was Microsoft, which made five purchases for a total of US$750 million, such as Adallom. And there were new boys on the scene, such as Amazon who laid out US$360 for Annapurna Labs back in January.

It is dangerous to predict trends. Interest rates are on the rise slowly, which potentially could have a slowing effect. There again, serial investors such as Zohar Gilon show no inclination to reduce investing in Israeli tech. The areas of Fintech and cyber tech are still highly popular, as I have seen overseas’ scouts pour in to the Holy Land recently. And as part of a positive social trend, the gender gap in salaries in the high-tech sector is narrowing rapidly.

So as we ease our way towards 2016, what can we expect? One thing is for sure, Israeli tech continues to permeate and improve the lives of billions around the globe. This trend looks set to continue for some time to come.