Aluminum exports to Israel from Bosnia and Herzegovina-based Aluminij have been rising since November, mentioned Israeli CEO and Founder Amir Gross Kabiri, who attributed the rise to Israeli customers preferring to not import from Turkey and different “unfriendly” international locations throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, and criticisms of Israel which have include it.
Whereas his manufacturing facility has constantly exported aluminum to Israel, within the final 4 months, Kabiri has seen a rise of round 30% in exports to Israel.
Turkey introduced on Tuesday that it could limit exports of a variety of merchandise to Israel, together with metal and jet gasoline, till a ceasefire is said in Gaza, the Turkish Commerce Ministry mentioned. The sanctions observe an Israeli rejection of a Turkish request to take part in an airdrop of help.
The measures will apply to the export of merchandise from 54 completely different classes, together with iron, marble, metal, cement, brick, fertilizer, building gear and merchandise, aviation gasoline, and extra, based on the ministry. Aluminum can also be one of many merchandise that Turkey will embody in restrictions.
Whereas Kabiri has crammed this position since 2020, together with throughout Operation Guardian of the Partitions, that is the primary time he has seen such a rise in demand for exports and such widespread “boycotting” of Israel in his enterprise.Kabiri has additionally skilled the results of strain in Turkey to chop financial ties with Israel.
Turkish purchasers haven’t used their enterprise
“Within the final months, Turkish purchasers haven’t come to us,” he mentioned. “I’m a proud Israeli and Zionist and my firm flies Israeli flags exterior the manufacturing facility,” he defined, saying that he thinks this has contributed to a drop in orders from some European areas and international locations. “It’s clear to me that it is because I’m Israeli and supportive of Israel throughout the conflict,” he mentioned.
Kabiri isn’t fearful about this lack of purchasers. “Demand overcomes any political opinion,” he mentioned, including that “even when we lose some prospects, we are going to discover them elsewhere.”
Kabiri additionally thinks that his firm may also help fill the hole in aluminum provide that Turkey’s sanctions may create. “We have now the capability to provide 250,000 tons of aluminum a 12 months, which may cowl a major a part of Israeli wants,” he mentioned. His firm produces aluminum for the automotive, aerospace, building, and meals industries.Reuters contributed to this report.
