I am quoting


(ALISA ODENHEIMER, Bloomberg, THE JERUSALEM POST Feb. 6, 2007 )



A camel-milking system largely manufactured by Israel's S.A.E. Afikim that can simultaneously milk 48 camels, was sold by Afikim's British distributor, to a buyer in Dubai, the Jordan Valley-based company said Sunday. The statement didn't identify the buyer.

Israel and Dubai don't have diplomatic relations.

Cooperation between Israeli companies and the nation's foreign ministry "is the best way to enter new markets in which only intervention on the level of governments can open doors for Israeli manufacturers," Afikim Chief Executive Officer Yossi Shemer said in the statement.

The sale of camel milk could become a $10 billion industry, providing food to people in desert areas and income for nomadic herders, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. Camel milk is three times richer in vitamin C than milk from cows and contains vitamin B, iron and unsaturated fatty acids. Camels produce as much as 20 liters of milk a day, compared with as much as 36 liters a day for cows.

Nutritional and other benefits could make the product attractive to about 200 million potential Arab customers, as well as others in Africa and other parts of the globe, according to the FAO.

Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products, a company owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, last September started selling bottled camel milk, branded "Camelicious," in the United Arab Emirates.

Afikim's computerized Afimilk system measures milk production in real time, and alerts farmers to any deviation in performance, thus allowing early detection and treatment of udder disease, according to the company's Web site.

Afikim developed the systems and equipment sold to Dubai.

The British distributor handled the installation, the Israeli company said.

Israel's foreign ministry plans to advance marketing efforts of similar systems in Arab and Muslim countries and also in Asian nations where camel milk is commonly drunk, Haim Divon, the foreign ministry's deputy director general for international cooperation said in the statement. (Bloomberg)

Replying to [kivi]:
Very interesting. Had camel stew and have even ridden camels, but I haven't had the milk yet.

It would be interesting to research the dairy possibilities for these animals.

Replying to [homesteadtraders]: What I care about here is that mutually beneficial business took place between two countries that have no diplomatic relations, albeit through a middle man. One way to foster peace in the world is for different peoples and countries to benefit from each others existence.

Replying to [homesteadtraders]:

Yes the camels are also milked in the nomadic conditions since cows can not survive in dessert conditions or it will be extremely costly. The interesting point here is that a camel can yield milk 20 lts per day and besides the quality is much better, while people can not harvest yields of milk at this scale from an avarege breed cow in most of the underdeveloped and developing countries. Possibly the lactation period is longer than that of a diary cow, as well.

Yarenimex

Replying to [kivi]:

This is the first time I have ever read about an Arab country has bought an Israeli product.

Yarenimex

Replying to [yarenimex]: It happens more often than people will say. Helping each other is a good start. This is good for all concerned. I think most people in business care about business. If you know a supplier or customer is honest and reliable, you might rather work with him than somebody else who's politics you might like better but who's business practices you do not like.
Business people make business. Politicians make problems.

Replying to [kivi]:
You know, in many ways you're right saying that it's the politicians who cause the problems.

A number of years back, my parents were at a big New Years party in Russia, with people from all over the world in attendence. People who's countries were "enemies" were laughing and dancing together. One of the guests said to my mom, that if all the politicians were put on an island to fight amongst themselves, the rest of the world would get along and live in peace.

Replying to [kivi]:

I hope it gets much better sooner..

Yarenimex

Replying to [yarenimex]: So do I. Most people have their personal likes and dislikes, but mainly want to be left alone.

Replying to [kivi]:

How about installing Kangaroo milking machine in Australia?

Street

Replying to [Street Smart]: Good idea. If we do it first we can get a jump on the market.