Israeli-Armenian Relations

A Diamond Necklace made in Armenia (Source)

Most Armenians in the Diaspora know about Israel's relations with Turkey, but I bet far fewer know that Israel is one of Armenia's top-five trade partners. Almost all of this trade is in diamonds, as is most of the trade between Armenia and Belgium (where, it should be noted, Jews are the major players in the industry).

David, over at a The Armenian Economist (a great blog, by the way), provides the following data for 2005 in a post on "Georgia, Russia, and Armenia's Economy."

Total exports (USD millions): 950.4

1. Germany 147.2
2. Netherlands 130.1
3. Belgium 124.6
4. Russia 119.1
5. Israel 112.2
6. USA 62.1
7. Other 255.0
   

Total imports 1767.9 USD millions

1. Russia 259.5
2. Belgium 162.4
3. USA 116.0
4. Germany 114.0
5. Israel 102.5
6. Iran 102.0
7. Other 911.5

According to the CIA World Factbook, which cites slightly different figures, Armenia exported commodities worth $800 million in 2005. Its largest export partners were:

1. Germany (15.6% of exports)
2. Netherlands 13.7%
3. Belgium 12.8%
4. Russia 12.2%
5. Israel 11.5%
6. US 11.2%
7. Georgia 4.8%

The Factbook cites a number of $1.5 billion for Armenia's imports, with the following countries accounting for the largest numbers:

1. Russia 13.5%
2. Belgium 8%
3. Germany 7.9%
4. Ukraine 7%
5. Turkmenistan 6.3%
6. US 6.2%
7. Israel 5.8%
8. Iran 5%
9. Romania 4.2%