Netanyahu’s New Plan To Boots Ties With Africa

I-24 NEWS – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on Sunday to submit for Cabinet approval the allocation of some NIS 50 million for boosting economic ties with African countries, an adviser told the media on Friday.

“The African continent constitutes vast potential for Israel in very many areas,” said the prime minister. “Many countries are seeking to open their gates to Israel and we will realize this desire for their benefit and for the benefit of the State of Israel.”

The press release announcing the plan detailed several steps geared at expanding economic ties. The first point calls for Israel and African nations to establish “unprecedented cooperation” with the World Bank aimed at encouraging development projects in Africa. The plan also calls for an expansion in the network of commercial attaches, as well as financing market activity and providing grants for feasibility studies.

The plan also proposes the establishment of four “Mashav” – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – centers for excellence in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda, with the goal of increasing Israeli exports to these countries.  

The plan also seeks to establish a mechanism to make it cheaper for Israeli companies to do business in Africa, as well as steps to improve cooperation in the fields of health and science.

Another point calls for an agreement to strengthen “technological, scientific and space ties” with Ethiopia in order to encourage Israeli business in Ethiopia in the fields of space and renewable energy.