On Nov 6th, Israeli Pavilion was opened in the National Hall of CIIE.
H.E. Ofir Akunis, Minister of Science and Technology of Israel, Ms. Ravia-Zadok Yael, Deputy Director General Head of Economic Affiars, Mr. Zvi Hefetz, Ambassador of Israel in China, Ms. Tamano Shata Pnina, Member of the Knesset, Dr. Eyal Propper, the Consul General of Israel in Shanghai and other diplomats attended the Opening Ceremony of Israeli Pavilion in the CIIE.
“It has been a huge change, like the changed relations between China and Israel,” Akunis told media.
“It is a huge and very positive change. Twenty-six years after we signed the first agreement on diplomatic relations, I can say now we are in the peak of all times,” Akunis said.
Israel, a “start-up nation” known for its innovation, has prepared for the CIIE for almost a year. About 11 companies have attended the first-ever import exposition, featuring the theme of “innovation.”
Its food-processing company Tnuva will bring chefs to cook Jewish food such as Mediterranean hummus with yogurt sauce at the expo.
The company made top news in 2014 when Shanghai-based Bright Food took a controlling stake in the second-largest acquisition deal between China and Israel at the time.
Seven companies from the Israel Diamond Institute will exhibit their shining products, as half of the world’s diamonds are processed in Israel. The exchange, the largest diamond trading complex in the world, recently struck a deal with China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba to make loose stones available as direct sales to Chinese consumers on Ali Auction, its luxury platform.
Metal cutting tools maker Iscar, which established its China branch in 1998, now has China as its third-largest market.
"There are a lot of Israeli companies here, which reflect the good connection between the two countries, and also a reflection of the free market,” said Akunis.
“The inspiration for good trade between China and Israel is also reflected in the increasing number of trade — US$11 billion — and it is only the beginning.”