Deputy Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara Discusses Cooperation with
Jordan
(Communicated by the Regional Cooperation Ministry Media Adviser)

Deputy Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara, this morning (Tuesday, 1
December 2015), in Eilat held a working meeting with Airports Authority
Deputy Director General Shlomo Oren, Yitzhak Rabin Terminal Director Aryeh
Saks and Taba Terminal Director Itzik Chai.

Deputy Minister Kara was briefed on the progress in bringing day laborers in
from Jordan to work in Eilat hotels, which began last month. Yitzhak Rabin
Terminal Director Saks pointed out that the pilot project that began with
150 day laborers is advancing well and that the number of laborers is due to
reach 500 by the end of the year. In order to meet the government target of
1,500 laborers, it will be necessary to expand and upgrade the Yitzhak Rabin
Terminal; Deputy Minister Kara said that the Regional Cooperation Ministry
would be pleased to assist the Airports Authority in advancing the necessary
steps.

Airports Authority Deputy Director General Oren presented the actions being
taken at the land border crossings with Jordan in order to expedite the
transit of goods, the way in which Israel – via the crossings with Jordan –
serves as a land bridge between Arab countries and Europe, and possibilities
regarding continued development of the crossings in order to facilitate a
greater volume of trade. Deputy Minister Kara noted the great importance of
the crossings in upgrading Israel's relations with its Arab neighbors,
including more distant Arab states, especially regarding greater commercial
cooperation. In this context, the Deputy Minister mentioned 'Jordan Gate'
project, including a new bridge in the projected joint industrial zone in
the northern Jordan Valley.

Deputy Minister Kara also toured the Taba Terminal and was briefed on
activity at the terminal in light of recent security challenges in the Sinai
Peninsula.

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