Israeli trade with Arab world increases

TEL AVIV -- Israel has significantly increased its trade with the Arab world.

Exports to Arab countries increased by 37 percent during the first half of 2000 while imports grew by 28 percent. Israeli executives said this included trade with such countries as Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

The Manufacturers Association said exports to Arab countries reached $62 million during the first six months of the year. The association said imports grew by 28 percent and totalled $26 million.

Israel's most active trading partner was Egypt. Israeli exports to Egypt for the first half of the year were reported at $32.8 million, an increase of 32 percent over the same period last year. Imports grew by $11 million. Exports to Jordan increased by 76 percent. Israeli exports to Morocco more than doubled, to $4.4 million.

Israeli exports to the Gulf also more than doubled to $736,000. The biggest Gulf importer was Saudi Arabia, which the association said bought $479,000 worth of Israeli products.