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United Airlines starts Tel Aviv-Washington route; British energy company funds Israeli startup; Israeli economy gets another ‘A’, and much more!

By: Michael Ordman

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

United Airlines starts Tel Aviv-Washington route

United Airlines is marking its 20th year of service to Israel with the first ever nonstop flight between Washington Dulles International airport and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. The three-times-a-week service commences on 22nd May 2019.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-announces-new-nonstop-service-between-washington-dc-and-tel-aviv-300691132.html

UK’s Centrica funds Israeli startup

British energy company Centrica has co-led a $12 million funding round for Israeli startup Driivz.  Driivz develops and sells cloud-based electric vehicle charging network management software.  Already over 200,000 drivers make use of the service.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3743783,00.html

Israel gets another ‘A’

True to its promise, (see 5th Aug) ratings agency Standard & Poor (S&P) raised its rating for Israel from A+ to AA-. S&P citing Israel’s steady economic growth and improved debt outlook.  AA- is Israel’s highest ever rating from any international rating agency and will save billions in interest repayments.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/credit-scoring-agency-gives-israel-its-highest-ever-rating/

Deep Tech links Israel to Korea. Israeli equity crowdfunding company OurCrowd’s Labs/02 incubator has joined with Korean VC firms Development Trusts NI and Yozma Kore to help setup startups in both countries. Labs/02 focuses on technology startups in AI, deep learning, autonomous transportation and smart cities.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3743773,00.html

Direct flights from Guangzhou

China’s Hainan airlines has just commenced its new direct service between Tel Aviv and the South China city of Guangzhou. Hainan already operates direct flights from Israel to both Beijing and Shanghai and is to add Shenzhen. Chinese tourism increased by 41% in 2017 compared to 2016.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3743696,00.html

Gateway to the sun

Due to open early in 2019, Eilat’s new Ilan and Assaf Ramon International airport is expected to service 2 million passengers annually.

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