by Sebastien Goulard
Israeli companies support the development of the IMEEC in order to create new growth opportunities and establish a presence in new markets.
Frank Melloul, who was recently appointed as an “ambassador” by the authorities of the Haifa Bay area, stated on the Israeli news channel i24NEWS that “IMEEC is no longer a hope; it has become a necessity.”
The current geopolitical environment is encouraging Middle Eastern states to establish new forms of cooperation and develop alternative corridors in order to reduce their dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. In this new environment, Frank Melloul highlights three key assets that Israel can bring to the table: stability, security, and technological innovation.
To achieve this, however, Israel will first have to convince its neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia and Jordan, of the importance of the IMEEC project in restoring regional stability and ensuring prosperity across the region. Frank Melloul is not concerned about this and urges against overreacting to recent diplomatic developments, such as the latest defense agreements involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Despite the challenges, IMEC remains a priority for the Port of Haifa and for Israeli companies as a whole. India, for which IMEEC is regarded as a major pillar of its international strategy, is likely to play an increasingly important role in the Middle East, given its relationships with both Israel and the Gulf states.
