Yossi Maiman, Israeli partner in Eastern Mediterranean Gas (EMG), a private Israeli-Egyptian joint energy consortium, said that three new contracts had been signed for the export of Egyptian natural gas to Israel. Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot reported yesterday that the contracts were worth a total of $1.3 billion over an 18-year period. According to the newspaper, the additional gas exports will allow Israeli private-sector companies to produce 270 megawatts of electricity in the port city of Ashdod and in Ramat Hovav north of the Negev Desert. EMG signed the contracts with Ashdod Energy LTD, an Israeli chemical production firm; Ramat Negev Energy LTD, which manufactures insecticides; and Solad Energy LTD, which produces edible oils. "The new deals reflect confidence in EMG and its ability to supply Israel with its gas needs," Maiman was quoted as saying. Translated from the Arabic Edition.