Arizona Announces Israel Trade Office to Boost Business with Startup Nation!

Since 2015, Israel and Arizona have worked together to push trailblazing water policies and innovations in freshwater science.

By United with Israel Staff

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey recently announced that his state will open its first trade and investment office in Tel Aviv, which is designed to increase international trade and foreign direct investment opportunities between Arizona and Israel.

The new office is part of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the US-Israel Business Initiative signed in 2018, an agreement that focuses on increase collaboration on water, fintech, technology, startups, and defense and aerospace.

“During Gov. Ducey’s first term in office, he has made clear Arizona’s support for a strong Arizona-Israeli relationship,”  Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry president and CEO Glenn Hamer said in a statement following the 2018 agreement. “From technological innovation, to water stewardship, to defense and aerospace, to GDP’s that are almost of equal size, we have so much in common. Israel is known worldwide as the Startup Nation. Arizona is the Startup State. Arizona and Israel are a great match.”

Gov. Ducey lead a trade mission to Israel in 2015 during which participants attended the WATEC water policy and management conference. He was the first Arizona governor to lead a delegation to Israel. Since then, both states have worked together to push revolutionary water policy and innovation in freshwater science.

Entrepreneur and business leader David Ya’ari, who has an extensive background in technology and finance, is heading the office.

“Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona continues to increase our global competitiveness and build strategic cross-border relationships,” Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO Sandra Watson said in a statement. “Israel is key among those relationships and we’re thrilled to be establishing a physical presence there with the launch of this new trade office.”

Representative Tony Rivero said that he was “proud” of spearheading the partnership and looks “forward to building on our international partnership with Israel so that Arizona can continue to increase economic growth.

Israel is Arizona’s 9th largest trading partner. Since 2010, imports and exports between Arizona and Israel have more than doubled.

There are presently 20 Israeli-owned companies operating in Arizona, engagedin aerospace, defense, and business and financial services, as well as technology and innovation.