Exports to Arab countries in Jan-Sept 2005 up 26%

Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute ( IEICI ) chairman David Arzi said last week that Israeli industrial exports, excluding diamonds, to Arab countries rose in January-September 2005 by 26%, compared with the corresponding period of 2004,to $171 million.
 
According to the IEICI in the January-September period, 66 Israeli exporters were involved in exporting goods to Iraq. The main export items sold to Iraq were consumer products, security goods, transport equipment, rubber and plastics products, and miningand quarrying product.
 
These exports to Iraq totaled $3.7 millions, 25% more than in the corresponding period of last year. Israeli exports to Iraq, Mostly chemicals, totaled $4.6 million in 2004. The IEICI also noted that in January-September Exports to Tunisia rose by 145%, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $1.7 million.
 
The IEICI further noted that in January-September, the number of Israeli companies active in Jordan increased to 1,795 however exports to Jordan in January-September fell by 13%, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $86.5 million.
 
The main export items sold to Jordan were machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, leather, wood and furniture, and paper and printing. The IEICI noted that the drop in exports is largely attributed to reduction in the effectiveness of Israel’s qualified industrial zone (QIZ) agreement with Jordan, following Jordan’s free-trade agreement with the US, which came into effect earlier this year.
 
The number of Israeli exporters to Egypt rose this year by 9% to 123. According to the IEICI the increase reflects the business potential with Egypt, following the signing of the QIZ agreement.
 
Exports to Egypt in January-September were up by 189%, compared with the corresponding period of last year, to $64.6 million.