Israeli industrial exports, excluding diamonds, to Arab countries rose by 26% in January-September 2005, compared with the corresponding period of 2004, to $171 million, says Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute chairman David Arzi. The figure is based on an analysis by the Export Institute.
Arzi says 66 exporters now sell consumer products, security goods, transport equipment, rubber and plastics products, and mining and quarrying products to Iraq. These exports to Iraq totaled $3.7 million in January-September, 25% more than in the corresponding period of last year. Israeli exports to Iraq totaled $4.6 million in 2004.
Exports to Tunisia rose by 145% in January-September, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $1.7 million. Most exports were chemicals.
1,795 Israeli exporters are now active in Jordan, 120% more than in 2003. An Export Institute analysis found that exports to Jordan fell by 13% in January-September, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $86.5 million. Most exports were of comprised of machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, leather, wood and furniture, and paper and printing. The drop in exports is attributed to reduction in the effectiveness of Israel’s qualified industrial zone (QIZ) agreement with Jordan, following the latter’s free-trade agreement with the US, which came into effect this year.
The Export Institute says the number of Israeli exporters to Egypt rose by 9% to 123, reflecting the business potential with Egypt, following the signing of a QIZ agreement. Exports to Egypt rose by 189% in January-September, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $64.6 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 11, 2005