(Communicated by the Ministry of Economy Spokesperson)
Israel’s Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Economy, Avi Hasson, Israel’s Economic Attaché to Chicago Yariv Becher and the Governors of Michigan and Ohio signed industrial R&D collaboration agreements this week. According to the agreements, which will be executed by MATIMOP - the executive agency of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) - and the relevant bodies in the U.S., Israeli companies and companies from Michigan and Ohio will enjoy financial assistance for joint R&D projects in a variety of fields.
“We are extremely pleased by this ongoing vote of confidence in Israel’s economy, industry and innovation - which have become an international brand - from a large number of U.S. states and companies,” said Chief Scientist Hasson. “Collaboration agreements like the ones with Michigan and Ohio will contribute to the Israeli economy, job creation, advancing R&D, entrepreneurialism, technology, and more.”
The agreement with Michigan was signed following a meeting between Israel’s Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder during Snyder’s recent trip to Israel, where he visited with several Israeli companies and startups. The two previously signed a memorandum of understanding to increase cooperation in industrial R&D between Israel and Michigan.
As a direct result of the new agreements, a call for proposal will be issued in the coming weeks inviting companies from Israel, Michigan and Ohio to submit joint bids for R&D projects - which can then enjoy U.S.-Israeli funding.
Governor Snyder is determined in the coming year to make his state the U.S. leader in doing business with Israel. “This is a breakthrough opportunity between Michigan and Israel, two centers of global leadership in technology research and development, at a moment in history that values innovation,” Snyder said.
Israel’s economic attaché to Chicago from the Ministry of Economy, Yariv Becher, covers the American Midwest including 13 states, among them Michigan and Ohio, where he promotes opportunities for collaboration with Israeli companies. “The potential for cooperation in Michigan is vast and covers a wide range of fields, primarily information security, automotive industries, water technologies and life sciences,” said Becher. “These agreements aim to foster cooperation between organizations from both states and Israel, and to see it grow.”