CBS: Israel's exports to Egypt totaled US$147 million in 2010

Israeli-Egyptian trade totaled US$502 million in 2010, 24% more than in 2009,10% more than in 2009. Egypt is Israel's 38th largest export market
 
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said bilateral Israeli-Egyptian trade totaled US$502 million in 2010, 24% more than in 2009, with Egyptian imports worth US$355 million and Israeli exports US$147 million,10% more than in 2009. Egypt is Israel's 38th largest export market, behind Latin American and Asian countries. 
 
Following recent events in Egypt the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute published a report indicating that Israeli-Egyptian trade figures show an increase in the past two years, partly because of the qualified industrial zone (QIZ) agreement with the US, Israel's imports from Egypt exceed Israel's exports to it.
 
The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute noted that despite the size of the Egyptian market, a country of 81 million residents, Israel's exports to it are meager. They are less than Israel's US$184 million in exports to Jordan, a country of 6.5 million people.
 
The Export Institute's figures nonetheless show an improvement in Israeli-Egyptian business relations. In 1980, a year after the peace treaty, Israeli exports to Egypt totaled US$2.7 million. Exports gradually rose to US$58 million by 2004. Imports were about the same.
 
Industry sources say that most Israeli exports to Egypt are textiles and textile products for QIZ enterprises, as well as chemicals for agriculture. Israel imports nearly 40 percent of its natural gas from Egypt via an underwater pipeline.
 
In 2005 the neighbors signed a 20-year deal to ensure the supply continues. The pipeline is operated by East Mediterranean Gas, an Egyptian-Israeli company.