Turkish PM Erdogan. Quiet dialogue
Photo: Reuters
Volume of trade with Turkey up 30%
Israeli, Turkish businesspeople continue to cooperate despite high tensions between two countries following flotilla raid
The volume of trade between Israel
and Turkey increased by 30% in 2010 compared to 2009, according to raw data collected by the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry and Israel's commercial attaché in Ankara.
According to figures compiled by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli exports to Turkey and Turkish imports to Israel were both up by 30% in the past year. The growth was recorded mainly in the exports of chemical substances, agricultural products and refined fuel.
The rise in trade was recorded despite the political problems overclouding the relations between the two countries since May's deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish ship.
On the Agenda
Plenum to hold hearing over question of Turkish demand for apology, compensation for flotilla victims. 'I am certain government's answer to motion for agenda will be that Israel has no intention of compensating these terrorists,' says MK Danon. Netanyahu: We acted in self defense
"The political events have not had a bad influence on business between the two countries in the public sector," Israel's Commercial Attaché in Ankara Doron Avrahami told Ynet. "Most Israeli businesspeople have adopted a 'business as usual' approach and are continuing to work."
According to Avrahami, "The atmosphere in meetings between businesspeople of both sides has been improving thanks to political talk about a reconciliation, but business went on as usual even when the atmosphere was not as good."
A firefighting team sent to Israel from Turkey to help battle the Carmel wildfire led to progress in a quiet dialogue between the two countries.
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