Business Delegation from Texas

During Gov. Perry’s visit to the Water Technology and Environmental Control Exhibition and Conference (WATEC) Israel 2013, The Federation of Israeli Chambers Of Commerce and the Office of the Governor, International Business & Economic Development jointly held the "Invest in Texas Business Forum" where elected officials, economic development executives and decision-makers from across the state met with several Israeli companies in Tel Aviv. 

Mr. Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce welcomed the guests and noted that since Gov. Perry’s first visit to Israel in 1992, the country has undergone remarkable changes and its economy has expanded.  Today, Israel’s economy is a strong one indeed due to the fact that years ago the American business sector revealed great interest in the Israeli market and today we can reciprocate to the American market.  This visit symbolizes the growing economic relationship between the two countries.  The trade relations are not at zero point and the bilateral trade is approximately 2 billion dollars. Mr. Lynn emphasized, “We have to intensify the cooperation in order to attract Israeli investments to the Texan market and vice versa. We hope to see Texas businesses expand in Israel in order for us to change the equilibrium and import more from the U.S. than from Europe".

Ms Ronit Ben-Basat, CEO of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, said that the aim of this event is to expand the trade between the two countries through diverse business meetings and the fortification of ties between the business communities of the two countries. 

Mr. Joseph White, Commercial Officer with the US Commercial Service, noted that the US Embassy acts profusely to assist Israeli business people by offering various opportunities on the American market. 
   
Gov. Perry related to one of his previous visits to Israel, when he toured one of the kibbutzim reminding him of the open landscapes of Texas. Gov. Perry said that in 1992 he came to Israel to exchange technological information in the fields of agriculture and water and his most recent visit 23 years later was an opportunity to share the amazing story of economic growth in Texas and to enhance trade cooperation between Texas and Israel. He stated, “In the last decade Texas has created nearly one-third of net jobs added in the United States and our population has grown to more than 26 million people. We have proven that letting people keep more of the money they earn, implementing smart regulations for business and minimizing frivolous lawsuits, is the recipe for economic success and job creation.” He also remarked that in his opinion the story from the bible about Moshe who hit the rock and produced water is an example of the first enterprise regarding water technology.  “The Israelis’ ability to assist the State of Texas in the areas of water resource development and agriculture are unbelievable.”  Perry concluded his words by saying that the State of Texas will always be on Israel’s side. 

The event concluded with a networking session where executives from Texas's Office of Economic Development met with Israeli companies seeking to expand their business to the U.S. discussing possible incentive programs available for investing in Texas. 

These days FICC's International Trade Relations Division is working with the state economic office to follow up on several leads resulting from the event. 

 
To contact FICC International Trade Relations Division click here