Israeli Exports to Arab countries up 8% in 2001

Jerusalem Post ^ | March 7, 2002 | Tal Muscal

[mmmmmmmm....... donuts]

March 6, 19:05 -- Israeli exports to the Arab world rose eight percent to $128 million in 2001 the Israel Export Institute said today.

The growth comes despite the ongoing clashes with the Palestinians for the last 17 months, which has led to the suspension of diplomatic and commercial relations between Israel and various Middle Eastern countries.

Imports from Israel's neighbors rose a more moderate 3%, reaching $67m.

"The type of exports that we see are very specific, therefore they have not been affected by the general decrease in industrial exports," said Shraga Brosh, Israel Export Institute. Industrial exports fell 5.5% in 2001 to $19.5 billion, due to the global economic slowdown and local recession.

"The sums that we are talking about are not dramatic, but as an optimist I believe the potential is tremendous."

Exports to Jordan, which rose 70% to $66m. accounted for over half the amount. Firms in the Hashemite Kingdom purchased Israeli machinery and textile products. Imports from Jordan rose at a smaller rate of 15%, totaling $42m. Trade between Israel and Jordan has been bolstered in the past few years by the creation of 'qualifying industrial zones' (QIZ). These are duty free enclaves designed by both countries and recognized by the US government as zones receiving special tax and duty reductions in US markets.

Based on the report, trade with Egypt contracted with exports falling 20% to NIS 47.3m. Textiles and chemical products encompassed most of the Israeli products sold. Imports dropped 3% totaling $20m.

Trade with Morocco also expanded with exports of chemical equipment, plastics and rubber rising 7.8% to $9.9m. Moroccan imports on the other hand dropped by 49% to only $885,000.

Surprisingly exports to Saudi Arabia - which does not maintain any relations with Israel - increased 28% to $2m. Through third countries and foreign firms the Saudis purchased chemical equipment, and light machinery. Exports to Kuwait, another country Israel holds no formal contacts with, grew ten fold to $421,000. Imports from the Persian Gulf emirate grew from zero in 2000 to $129,000 last year.

[mmmmmmmm....... donuts]

I thought this was interesting. The Arab countries are normalizing without normalization! And it's also interesting to see that Israel has a net trade surplus with the Arab world.

[FreeAtlanta]

bump for hope

[GuillermoX]

If the Mohammedan masses were aware of this, I wonder what they'd say?

Something along the lines of "An Evil Jew plot".

[Free the USA]

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