Mystery surrounds Egyptian-Israeli trade ties
Egyptian economic experts oppose an unconfirmed report in the Israeli paper Maariv that an Israeli factory might open in Egypt.
CAIRO — The issue of economic normalization between Egypt and Israel by successive Egyptian regimes is back on the front burner. On July 10, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Israel plans to open a 5,000-worker factory in Egypt.
The article came in the context of news that Ayoub Kara, Israeli deputy minister for development of the Negev and Galilee, met July 10 with Egyptian Consul Mustafa Jamil in Israel and discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. The piece did not mention what industry the plant would serve.
The opening of an Israeli factory in Egypt is surrounded by a lot of ambiguity. Maariv did not specify whether it would be owned by the Israeli government or Israeli investors, or how close it might be to opening.
Al-Monitor tried to verify the news by contacting Yasser Moheb, media adviser to the Egyptian minister of investment, but he did not respond. Al-Monitor also sent an email to the Israeli Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, but it has yet to respond.
