Today the State of Israel is marking its 66th Independence Day. It is a day of joy and pride for our country and people in the remarkable achievements accomplished in just over six decades.
Being the only western democracy in the Middle East, where stability is not to be taken for granted, Israel continues to achieve national development and security.
With limited land and natural resources, we built an outstanding economy with a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and in science and technology. As a “startup nation”, Israel has pioneered breakthroughs, including mobile phone application, computer firewall and instant messaging. Israel also excels in medical, energy and environmental technologies.
This innovation-based economy was not created overnight. From the Kibbutz and the agriculture revolution at the early stage of the State of Israel, to the modernization of agriculture with the development of drip irrigation and water recycling technologies, Israel now has the largest number of companies traded on the NASDAQ after the USA. Israel’s present investment in R&D is about 4.5% of the GDP, in a population of 8 million and GDP per capita of 32,312 US dollars. Hard work, determination and a unique innovation culture are key to the success.
Since I arrived in Hong Kong last summer to assume post as Consul General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong and Macao, I continue to find Hong Kong a very welcoming city, where people are open and willing to listen to new ideas. Not to mention the traditional friendly relations and share of common values between the Chinese and Jewish peoples, Hong Kong is always a partner of Israel.
One excellent example is the establishment of the Technion Guangdong Institute of Technology in China last year, under a joint venture between the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Shantou University and a grant by the Li Ka Shing Foundation of Hong Kong. This innovation centre will connect industries in Guangdong with Israel’s technological creativity and bridge Israeli technology into China to promote joint research and innovation.
The recently signed memorandum of understanding on bi-lateral co-operation in industrial research and development between the governments of Israel and the Hong Kong SAR also provides a solid framework for collaboration with funding support.
Our bi-lateral trade reached 6.2 billion US dollars in 2013, and we have opened an economic department in the Consulate in Hong Kong last year.
With Hong Kong’s basic advantages of its financial and infrastructure establishment, access to the Mainland China, being a hub of transportation and its flexible workforce, I am convinced more exchanges in trade delegations and activities will follow.
以色列駐香港及澳門總領事 高史歌 獻辭
今天是以色列國獨立六十六周年，這是我國及其人民為六十多年來所取得的成就而感到喜悅和驕傲的日子。
作為中東地區唯一擁有西方民主的國家，穩定並不是理所當然的，因此以色列繼續致力於國家的發展和安全。
在有限的土地和自然資源下，我國建立了擁有強大的企業家精神和科技基礎的傑出經濟。作為一個「新創企業之國」，以色列率先突破，包括手機應用程式、電腦防火牆和即時訊息。以色列還擅長於醫療、能源和環保技術。
這種創新型經濟並不是一蹴而就的，由以色列立國早期的集體農莊(Kibbutz)和農業革命至發展滴灌和水循環再造技術的農業現代化，現今以色列已成為僅次於美國，擁有在納斯達克上市公司數量最多之國。以色列現今投放在研發的資金約為國內生產總值的百分之四點五 (以色列擁有八百萬人口，人均生產總值為三萬二千三百一十二美元)。辛勤工作、決心和獨特的創新文化是成功的關鍵。
自去年夏季抵港擔任以色列國駐香港及澳門總領事以來，本人感到香港是一熱情城市，而市民是開放及願意聆聽新的思維，中國人與猶太人在傳統上的共同價值觀更不用多提，香港始終是以色列的夥伴。
一個很好的例子是，在得到香港李嘉誠基金會支持下，以色列理工學院(Technion)和汕頭大學於去年創辦「廣東以色列理工學院」，該創新中心將會把廣東的工業與以色列的科技創造力相結合，並是以色列科技引入中國內地的橋樑，從而促進共同研究和創新。
最近，以色列政府與香港特別行政區政府簽署了《產業研發雙邊合作諒解備忘錄》，並為合作經費予以支持提供一個堅實的框架。
在二零一三年，兩地的雙邊貿易額達六十二億美元，而本總領事館在去年設立了經濟部。
隨着香港金融及基礎建設的設立、進入中國內地、作為運輸樞紐、靈活的勞動力等的基本優勢，本人相信，更多的商貿代表團交往和活動將會陸續有來。