Trade between Jordan and Israel grew by more than half in the first half of 2000 compared with the same period last year, but commerce between the former foes remains limited, Israel's embassy said on Wednesday.
Israeli exports to Jordan reached $19 million in the first half of this year, 75 percent more than during the same time in 1999, while trade the other way grew 60 percent to $14 million, the embassy said.
“Despite this growth, we aren't satisfied with the level of Jordanian-Israeli commercial exchanges,” embassy spokesman Roey Gilad told AFP.
Israel hopes to expand trade with Jordan to more than $100 million a year, Gilad said.
Jordan's main exports to Israel are cement, fruits and vegetables, while major Israeli exports include agricultural, chemical and mechanical products.
Meanwhile, Danny Yatom, an adviser to Prime Minister Ehud Barak, arrived in Jordan on Wednesday to head Israel's delegation to the two countries' joint commission.
Yatom also met with General Samih Battikhi, head of the General Intelligence Department, and Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib, Israeli diplomats said.
Earlier Wednesday, His Majesty King Abdullah received the credentials of Israel's new ambassador to the Kingdom, David Dadon.
Dadon, Israel's third ambassador to Jordan since the two countries' 1994 peace treaty, replaced Oded Eran, who quit to lead Israel's negotiations with the Palestinians.
Dadon, born in 1949 in Morocco, has headed the Israeli interests section in Rabat and directed the Foreign Ministry's North African Affairs Department.
Married with three children, Dadon holds degrees in French literature and history. — ( Jordan Times )
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
