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UAE’s Al Habtoor Group chairman meets Israeli conglomerate CEO; reveals plans to open office in Israel

The chairman had previously disclosed that the group had launched talks with Israir Airlines to open direct commercial flights between the UAE and Israel

by Zainab Mansoor

September 20, 2020

The founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG) Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, received the chairman and CEO of Israel-based conglomerate Ampa Group, Shlomi Fogel, at the AHG headquarters in Dubai.

The meeting coincided with the signing of the peace agreement between the UAE and Israel last week, to fully normalise relations.

Read: UAE, Bahrain sign historic peace accord with Israel in the US

“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,” noted Al Habtoor.

Fogel commented: “Through successful business collaboration and trade, peace will be cemented. Together with our Emirati counterparts, we will show the way to live in peace to the rest of the world.”

The AHG chairman further revealed his plans to open a representative office in Israel.

“Since the announcement of the normalisation of relationships between the UAE and Israel, we have received a large number of inquiries 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,” he added.

He had previously disclosed that the group had launched talks with Israir Airlines, to open direct commercial flights, “and we are preparing to reveal a few collaborations in the coming days,” he concluded.

Watch: First direct commercial flight from Israel to the UAE lands in Abu Dhabi

Ahead of the signing of the US-brokered peace agreement, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan officially abolished a previous law, the Federal Law No. 15 of 1972, boycotting Israel, further encouraging individuals and companies in the UAE to enter into agreements with their Israeli counterparts.