Palestine-egypt Trade Agreements Will Aid Arab-jewish Relations, Says Minister

Closer trade relations between Egypt and Palestine will help to foster Arab-Jewish rapprochement in the Middle East, Egyptian Finance Minister Amin Osman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today following the successful conclusion of trade talks between the two countries.

The Finance Minister advocated the establishment of Palestine-Egypt chambers of commerce in both countries and also the exchange of students, in order that “contacts may be maintained not only through governments, but through people.”

Discussing the results of the trade conferences, which have been going on here, Mr. Osman revealed that concrete agreements have been reached for the exchange of commodities between Egypt and Palestine and permanent machinery has been established for future economic relations.

The following arrangements have been concluded, he declared. First, Palestine will export to Egypt citrus fruits and some manufactured goods, principally pharmaceuticals, in exchange for which Egypt will ship Palestine some foodstuffs and raw materials; Second, an agreement for the control of prices of products exported; Third, establishment of a standing committee in each country to continue trade relations; Fourth, a decision to find means to overcome present visa difficulties impeding trade relations; Fifth, a “very satisfactory” settlement of the problem of expediting Palestine imports transported by way of Egypt.

The Finance Minister observed that the quantity of goods involved is not great, pointing out that the talks could not cover such commodities as wheat, rice and sugar, Egypt’s exports of which go by prior arrangement to the Middle East Supply Center. But he said the agreements were just a beginning, and created the possibility of a future trade development.