Consul General: Indiana, Israel Share Business ‘Bridges’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Consul General of Israel to the Midwest says Indiana offers several sectors that line up well with economic opportunities in his home country. Roey Gilad was in Indianapolis for the state's first Israeli defense industry roadshow. Governor Mike Pence says the event was a continuation of his December jobs mission to the country. Gilad tells Inside INdiana Business the state is strong in biosciences, agricultural and water technology and defense manufacturing.
Source: Inside INdiana Business
April 30, 2015
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Today Governor Mike Pence joined business and government leaders in an Indiana-Israel Business Exchange as both states convened to discuss opportunities for economic collaboration, furthering the Governor’s efforts and connections gained during his jobs mission to Israel in December.
“Indiana and Israel are both defined by action and collaboration,” said Pence. “It is encouraging that so many Indiana and Israeli companies are deepening their relationships, looking at ways to nurture shared growth and economic opportunities. Our futures will be more prosperous tomorrow by working together today. My hope is that we will continue to strengthen the relationships formed today, exchanging ideas and fostering success in the years to come.”
Today's conference, focused on innovation in security and defense, convened representatives in Indianapolis from nine Israeli companies, 24 Hoosier businesses and six Indiana public safety agencies.
“We are pleased to bring the first Israeli defense industry roadshow to Indiana, which is an outcome of the visit of Governor Pence to Israel at the end of 2014,” said Roey Gilad, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest. “We do hope that this meeting between Israeli and Indiana defense industries will bear fruits for the benefit of both states.”
Israel is the only country with free trade agreements with both the United States and the European community. And with Indiana's shared strengths in aerospace and defense, as well as life sciences, technology and advanced manufacturing, this economic partnership continues to grow. In 2013, Indiana’s exports to Israel totaled $57.2 million in merchandise, a 61 percent increase since 2005.
“Our focus in these ongoing discussions is to create an amicable working relationship with Israeli companies and government agencies as the area continues to face security challenges,” said Pete Bitar, founder and chief executive officer of Anderson-based Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems (XADS). “Our defense and enforcement technologies made here in Indiana are currently used across the world. We are optimistic that expanding our market of products to Israel can be of assistance to a strong ally.”
More than 70 Hoosier companies do business in Israel, including Magnavox, Alcoa, Allied-Singal, Biomet, Eli Lilly, Raytheon and ITT Aerospace, while Indiana is home to Israeli firms like Taditel ACS Motion Control, Resin Partners and Keter Plastics.
“The need for our products increases dramatically with the growing sophistication of the cyber battlefield,” said Shahar Alon, business development manager at Checkmarx, an Israeli Static Application Security Testing (SAST) developer. “We are looking to increase our business in the United States, and specifically in Indiana. We can surely find ways to work and grow together while providing top notch cyber solutions to governmental institutions and enterprise.”
Photo: During today's Indiana-Israel business exchange in Indianapolis, Ori Bar Chaim of the Israel Ministry of Defense discusses opportunities for economic collaboration with Governor Mike Pence.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, focusing on helping companies grow in and locate to the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, public infrastructure assistance and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Source: The Indiana Economic Development Corp.