Pence Speaks to Israeli Business Leaders
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence addressed more than 150 Israeli business and government officials at two events Tuesday, including a luncheon hosted by the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce. More than 70 Indiana companies do business in Israel, including Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) in Indianapolis and Warsaw-based Biomet.
December 30, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Governor Mike Pence expressed Indiana's firm commitment to strengthening the state's economic and cultural ties with Israel at two events in Tel Aviv today, attended by more than 150 Israel business and government officials.
“Even half a world away, Indiana's story resonates,” said Governor Pence. “No matter where you are, job creators know that they can do more in an environment designed for their growth and that's what we've built at home in Indiana. Upwards of 150 businesses Israeli business today told us they are looking for a place like Indiana, and we will continue to grow these new bonds and foster success together.”
The Governor began the day sharing the advantages of doing business in Indiana with more than 50 company leaders from a wide array of industries, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology and aerospace. This included detailing Indiana's strategic effort to put business-friendly policies into place that are creating a home for companies across the globe, including Israeli firms Taditel ACS Motion Control, Resin Partners and Keter Plastics. Also, more than 70 Hoosier companies do business in Israel, including Biomet, Eli Lilly, Alcoa and Raytheon.
Later in the day, the Governor gave the keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which was attended by more than 100 government and business officials in Tel Aviv. In his remarks, he not only highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit that joins Indiana and Israel economically, but also the same spirit that underpins the alliance between the United States and Israel. The Governor's complete remarks can be found here.
“While the sights and history inspire awe, I am most inspired by what this nation stands for and the self-reliance, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that defines who Israel is as a people,” said Pence. “The ties between our countries are much deeper and more profound than our policies and trade. Israel is not merely our strongest ally in the Middle East, but our most cherished ally and a beacon of hope in a troubled region of the world. America and Israel are bound together by the common foundation that goes beyond economic and strategic interests: a belief in faith, family, democracy and liberty.”
The Governor spent the remainder of the day focusing on promoting Indiana's aerospace and defense industry to find mutual opportunities for the Israeli government to collaborate with Indiana defense companies. He met in the morning with executives from Israel Aerospace Industries, the largest government-owned defense and aerospace company in Israel. The Governor then spent the majority of the afternoon at the Israeli Ministry of Defense meeting with Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon, Maj. Gen. Amos Gilad, director of the Political-Military Affairs Bureau, and Michel Ben-Baruch, director of the International Defense Cooperation Agency.
The Governor is two days into leading an economic development and jobs mission to Israel, sharing why Indiana is a state that works for Israeli companies to grow and thrive. Tomorrow, he will conclude the economic development portion of his trip by meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, call on the Israeli Chief Scientist Avi Hasson and visit leaders of Israeli companies Keter Plastics and Taditel, both of which have operations in the Hoosier State.
More information about the Governor's trade mission will be posted throughout the trip here: http://www.in.gov/gov/Israel2014.htm.
Source: Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence