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Al Habtoor to tap into Israeli market with partnerships

The UAE-Israel peace accord will present great opportunities for both sides by opening up new doors, said Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG).
Al Habtoor, announcing his group's plan to open a representative office in Israel, said AHG is preparing to reveal a few collaborations with Israeli companies in the coming days. He made the announcement at a meeting with Shlomi Fogel, Ampa Group's co-owner and chairman, at the AHG headquarters in Dubai.
The meeting coincided with the signing of the landmark Abraham Accords Peace Agreement between the UAE and Israel.
"I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time. I have always believed that Emiratis and Israelis have a lot in common. Both peoples are business-oriented and have relied on human talent and ambition more than their countries' natural resources to build robust, innovative economies," said Al Habtoor.
"The opportunities that this deal will present are great for both sides. I am confident this will open up new doors and lead to stronger economies, and closer cultural ties between the peoples."
Fogel, who is also CEO of Ampa Group, a leading diversified business conglomerate in Israel, said through successful business collaboration and trade, peace would be cemented. "Together with our Emirati counterparts, we will show the way to live in peace to the rest of the world."
Following the meeting with Fogel, Al Habtoor said his group had received a large number of enquiries for collaboration in several fields, ranging from AI and technology to agriculture, hospitality and trading.
"The possibilities are endless for both sides in our diversified fields and new ones, and we want to be present to grasp them."
Al Habtoor had previously disclosed that AHG had launched talks with Israir Airlines, a domestic Israeli carrier, to open direct commercial flights, "and we are preparing to reveal a few collaborations in the coming days," he said.
Present from AHG side were Mohammed Al Habtoor, vice-chairman and CEO; Ahmad Al Habtoor, CEO of Al Habtoor Motors; Maan Halabi, managing director; Sanjeev Agarwala; assistant managing director; and other members of senior management. Fogel was accompanied in the meeting by Erez Katz, CEO of Ciment; Or Eyal, Fogel's executive advisor; Saar Bracha, CEO of the agricultural arm; and several other executives from the Ampa Group.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com