Brosh: a trade blockade of Gaza would have negative effect on the Israeli economy

The goal of the association was to continue regular economic and business ties regardless of who controls Gaza. The value of all goods is estimated at about NIS 3 billion a year
 
Shraga Brosh, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, said last week that his association was maintaining contact with the business sector in the Gaza Strip although Hamas had taken control of the strip.
 
Brosh statement followed direction issued by the Israel Customs Authority that directed all importers and local businessmen who do business with Gaza to stop transferring all goods to the Karni border crossing. The management of the customs authority explained that its decision was based on the fact that the main gateway for such items, Karni Crossing, had been closed, until further notice.
 
The imports in question range from expensive electronic items to cheap clothing and toys. Israeli goods entering Gaza are mostly building materials such as steel and cement, which make up two-thirds of all imports, and the rest is mostly food and agricultural products, such as wheat, sugar and flour. The value of all these goods is estimated at about NIS 3 billion a year.
 
Brosh said the goal of the association was to continue regular economic and business ties regardless of who controls Gaza.
 
He added that in so far as the association members were concerned such a goal was of utmost importance and that members were looking into renewing business contacts via Egypt.
 
The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce said last week that dozens of containers of goods arriving through the Ashdod port move through the transfer points every day.