U.S.-IsraelBusiness Initiative

 

 

 

 

 

Israel Supports American Innovation, Jobs and Investment.

Launched in 2017 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Israel Business Initiative, Business Israel educates and inspires leading chambers of commerce to foster stronger commercial ties with the State of Israel. This nationally- coordinated effort will engage chambers of commerce to exponentially expand the American business community’s exposure and access to Israel and create a new and powerful constituency of supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Business Israel engages chambers of commerce to be champions of the US-Israel relationship and promote American and Israeli companies to work together and support economic growth in both countries – creating jobs and new products with the potential to transform industries.

Three Components of Business Israel

Business Israel leverages the U.S. Chamber’s national network by inspiring leading chambers of commerce across the country to catalyze stronger commercial ties between American communities and Israel. The campaign covers three main areas:

BUSINESS MISSIONS TO ISRAEL:
CEOs from a targeted group of 200 chambers of commerce learn about Israel’s economy, history, and politics. Participants meet Israeli government officials and business leaders and learn how to bring Israel to their communities and strengthen commercial ties.

NEW STATE INITIATIVES: Business mission attendees return to their communities and educate and promote the growth of the U.S.-Israel business partnership. After the trip they: 1. Host Business Israel forums across the country 2. Advocate on behalf of pro-Israel policies 3. Initiate new Israel-U.S. innovation partnerships

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN:
Business Israel provides participants with a range of tools and services to support an integrated communications campaign about the U.S.-Israel business relationship. They:
1. Launch comprehensive digital marketing campaigns
2. Generate and share social media posts and groups
3. Craft and executive effective media outreach

 

About Business Israel

 

On Monday, June 25, 2018, the U.S.-Israel Business Initiative hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Israeli Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz at the U.S. Chamber to sign an implementation agreement launching the U.S.-Israel Center of Excellence in Energy, Engineering and Water Technology.

In March 2018, the U.S. Congress appropriated $4 million to establish the Center, which will be matched by $4 million from the Israeli government. The Implementation Agreement signed at the Chamber provides the foundation for the establishment of the Center, which aims to accelerate development of innovative technologies for fossil energy, energy cybersecurity in critical infrastructure, the energy-water nexus, and energy storage. The Center significantly upgrades the governments’ support for advanced research, technology transfer, and commercial cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in the energy sector. Greater U.S.-Israel energy research and connectivity is already driving economic growth, and this Center will provide another avenue to support economic gains and advance technology development as Israel continues to grow its energy sector and transition much of its economy to natural gas.

The Chamber has been a strong advocate of the Center since Congress called for the Center’s creation in 2014, and it will continue to strengthen the connection between the private sector and both the U.S. and Israeli governments on energy security through the Center.

Coverage: Bloomberg; Politico; Arutz Sheva; Jerusalem Post; DailyEnergyInsider; Washington Examiner; Trading Charts

This week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held the BusinessH₂O Summit, a conference bringing together business leaders, government officials, and water experts from the United States and Israel to discuss best practices in corporate water stewardship and public policies to address the growing demand for water. The U.S. Chamber also launched the U.S.-Israel Water Working Group under the umbrella of its U.S.-Israel Business Initiative to support ongoing efforts in advancing water sustainability. The Working Group will conduct a BusinessH₂O mission to Israel next year.

“As a significant user of water, the business community has a critical role to play in driving solutions to water challenges through greater efficiencies and conservation” said Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Our private sector needs to partner with water-advanced countries like Israel to adopt new technologies and best practices in water management, which will help create jobs and grow our economy.”

Companies and universities addressed issues such as improving water governance to promote economic growth, promoting investment in water technology, and strengthening U.S. collaboration with Israel on water policy and technology. High-level government leaders including Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona, and the Executive Director for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Steve Hill discussed the importance of public-private partnerships. Featured topics and speakers can be found here.

The BusinessH₂O Summit was organized in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, led by Oded Distel, Director of Israel NewTech. A delegation of Israeli water technology start-ups, organized by the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce, travelled to Las Vegas for the Summit.

 The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation released its 2016 case-study report on corporate water stewardship at the summit, and the U.S. Chamber is producing a white paper on the summit’s key takeaways for the next administration.

 The conference concluded with a memorandum of understanding signing between Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority and Nevada’s WaterStart, a public-private joint venture to coordinate expertise and infrastructure on water innovation. 

 Resources:

 Nevada and Israel together can Shape the Future of Water

http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/nevada-and-israel-together-can-shape-the-future-water

 Nevada, Israel at Las Vegas Summit agree to Collaborate on Water Innovation

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-israel-las-vegas-summit-agree-collaborate-water

 Experts Discuss How to Protect Water

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/experts-discuss-how-to-protect-water/618620215

 Arizona Water Leaders Confer with Colorado River states on Drought Contingency Plan

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2016/12/14/arizona-water-leaders-confer-with-colorado-river.html

 

 

Special Thanks to our Summit Sponsors:

MGM Resorts International – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev – Arizona State University – PepsiCo – Nestlé Water North America – Haifa Group – RWL Water – Netafim

                

Thank you to our Organizational Partners: 

Israel-America Chamber of Commerce – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce – Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce – Desert Research Institute – Texas Association of Business – San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce – Southern Nevada Water Authority – California Chamber of Commerce – The Water Council – WaterStart – American Water Works Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conference begins at 7:30 AM

Tower Ballroom 4 & 5

Updated Agenda Here

This summit will bring together business leaders, government officials, and water experts to discuss practices in corporate water stewardship and public policies to address the growing demand for water.

OBJECTIVES

• Showcase best practices and case studies in corporate water stewardship
• Establish water sustainability as an enabler of economic growth
• Promote a business case for water and engage the business community on water issues
• Advance policy ideas, public-private partnerships, and industry solutions to manage water resources
• Strengthen U.S. collaboration with Israel on water policy and technology

PARTICIPANTS

• Business leaders and investors
• State and metropolitan Chambers of Commerce
• Federal, state, and local government officials, including governors and state development agencies
• Water utility authorities
• Academia and research institutions
• Government of Israel, including government ministers and water experts

  THEMES:

• The Future of Water – What are the trends, risks, and emerging solutions?
• Improving Water Governance – What public policies will ensure economic growth?
• Water Innovation – How can businesses effectively mobilize technologies?
• Water Stewardship as Business Strategy – What are best practices for implementing good water principles throughout corporate supply chains?

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado
• Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona
• Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• James Murren, CEO, MGM Resorts International*
• Dr. Mehmood Khan, Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, PepsiCo
• Seth Siegel, Bestselling Author, “Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solutions for a Water-Starved World”
• John Sabo, Director of FutureH2O, Arizona State University
• David LaFrance, CEO, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
• Henry J. Charrabé, President & CEO of Global Operations, RWL Water
• Snehal Desai, President, Dow Water Process Solutions
• Yalmaz Siddiqui, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, MGM Resorts International
• Noam Weisbrod, Director, Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
• Nelson Switzer, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestlé Waters
• Roy Zuckerberg, Honorary Chairman of the Board, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev / Former Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs & Company
• Tamar Shor, Senior Deputy Director General for Regulation, Israel Water Authority
• Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Tal Shani, Marketing Manager, Haifa Chemicals
• Booky Oren, Chairman & CEO, Booky Oren Global Water Technologies / Former Executive Chairman of Mekorot- Israel National Water Company
• Emilio Tenuta, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, Ecolab
• Zohar Yinon, CEO, Hagihon – Jerusalem Area’s Water and Wastewater Utility Company
• Kristin McMillan, President & CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce*
• Pat Mulroy, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution/ Desert Research Institute
• Mizraim Cordero, Vice President of Government Affairs, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
• John Entsminger, General Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Israel Shamay, Executive Director, Israeli Industry Center for R&D, MATIMOP
• Dean Amhaus, President and CEO, The Water Council
• Oded Rose, CEO, Israel-America Chamber of Commerce
• Nathan Allen, Executive Director, WaterStart
• ‎Jennifer Gerholdt, Senior Director, Environment Program, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

* invited

Agenda: You can find a tentative agenda here.

Registration: Registration is OPEN. Please click here to register.

Hotel Reservations: Discounted Reservations at the Bellagio Resort & Casino can be made here

Registration will close on December 5, 2016. 

 

By Sean Hackbarth

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blog | March 3, 2015

View the original article.

Today, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint session of Congress. As much as security and geopolitical relations are at the forefront of the U.S.-Israel relationship, don’t forget the economic ties between the two countries.

Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, makes three observations about the U.S.-Israel economic relationship in this op-ed in The Hill.

1. Israel is the partner to the oldest U.S. free trade agreement—30 years.

Since the signing of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement 30 years ago, two-way trade has multiplied tenfold to over $40 billion per year with shared economic benefits for both countries.

2. Israel is a major U.S. economic partner in the Middle East.

Israel is the top importer of U.S. goods in its region, despite representing a mere 2 percent of the population. There are more companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange from Israel than from any country besides the U.S. and China. And nearly half of all investment into the U.S. from the Middle East comes from Israeli companies. The commercial relationship, while often glossed over given the focus on security matters, is not only sparking new technologies but supports thousands of good jobs in both countries.

3. Israel is an innovation hub.

In a country as small as Israel, it is amazing that over 250 multinational companies have R&D centers there. And underscoring the importance of our relationship, two-thirds of them are U.S. companies. Intel, Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco have been in Israel for decades, and just days ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Israel to inaugurate the company’s largest innovation center outside of California.

Israel is also rich in start-ups, like Tel Aviv-based Insights, a “crowd-consulting platform” for governments and Aquanos, a company using algae to treat wastewater.

Because of trade and innovation, future economic prospects between the U.S. and Israel are bright. Last year, in a piece on the maturing economic relationship between the two countries, the U.S. Chamber’s Josh Kram wrote, “Much of what will define the relationship in the coming five years was unthinkable a decade ago, let alone three decades ago when the FTA was signed.”

As public support for Israel remains strong, much will be gained for both countries—and the Middle East–as commercial ties deepen.

Op-Ed by Myron Brilliant

The Hill | March 03, 2015

View the original article.

The U.S.-Israel relationship has been under a microscope ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. While shared national security issues will continue to dominate the discussions between the governments – as they will on this trip – these issues are just a component of what drives the strong bonds between our two countries. One often overlooked facet of our relationship is the important strategic economic partnership.

The U.S. and Israel have long-standing trade and investment ties that serve to benefit both countries, and our close commercial bond supports game-changing innovation benefiting the global economy. Since the signing of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement 30 years ago, two-way trade has multiplied tenfold to over $40 billion per year with shared economic benefits for both countries.

In a country as small as Israel, it is amazing that over 250 multinational companies have R&D centers there. And underscoring the importance of our relationship, two-thirds of them are U.S. companies. Intel, Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco have been in Israel for decades, and just days ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Israel to inaugurate the company’s largest innovation center outside of California.

Israel is the top importer of U.S. goods in its region, despite representing a mere 2 percent of the population. There are more companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange from Israel than from any country besides the U.S. and China. And nearly half of all investment into the U.S. from the Middle East comes from Israeli companies. The commercial relationship, while often glossed over given the focus on security matters, is not only sparking new technologies but supports thousands of good jobs in both countries.

It is also abundantly clear that there is a strong nexus between commercial and security matters. Just take a look at our growing collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity and energy.

Following major cyber breaches on public and private institutions across the world, we have a better understanding of the vulnerability of our companies and governments. With more than 10 percent of global cybersecurity investment going into Israel—including from U.S. investors—and Israel’s own establishment of a new cyber hub in Beersheva, we can already see the importance of our partnership in this area.

Israel’s energy sector is another example of the significance of our relationship. In 2009, U.S.-based Noble Energy discovered one of the largest deep-water natural gas reserves in the last decade and has been working with Israeli partners to develop and bring gas both to the Israeli market and the broader region. This development, if harnessed correctly, could ensure Israel’s energy independence and security for generations to come. Since Israel had a very limited energy industry prior to these finds, the U.S. is critical in helping to build out this sector. These areas and others will drive the coming years of cooperation between our two countries.

A look at our past and current relationship shows that stronger commercial and security ties have been and will continue to be mutually reinforcing. But we need to do a better job of embracing the full extent of U.S.-Israel relations. Much more can be done to ensure a healthy, prosperous, and growing relationship if we work hand in hand to expand our commercial ties.

Brilliant is executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The U.S.-Israel Business Initiative will be hosting a reception on the evening of Monday, March 23 for a visiting Israeli business delegation who are in Washington to participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit. For additional information, please contact Josh Kram at JKram@uschamber.com.

Khush Choksy (left), speaks with U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro during the Chamber-led business mission to Israel.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce led a business delegation to Israel to connect U.S. companies with Israeli business and government leaders for discussions on advancing the bilateral economic relationship on June 15-16. Headed by the Chamber’s Vice President for Turkey and Middle East Affairs Khush Choksy, the delegation coincided with the annual U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) meetings led by Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin.

“The Chamber is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Israel commercial relationship, and we proposed the creation of a U.S.-Israel Strategic Economic Dialogue to provide an opportunity for our governments and private sectors to discuss shared opportunities and challenges,” Choksy said. “This trip proved the merits of such a model by bringing a high-level group of business executives to Israel to provide input to the annual government-to-government economic dialogue.”

The delegation met with top Israeli government officials and key ministers in the inner-circle of Israeli leadership, including Harel Locker, Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister and Silvan Shalom, Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Infrastructure.

As part of the delegation, the Chamber organized a one-day policy with leading members of the Israeli private sector and U.S. government to provide input into the JEDG talks. Among those who participated were Dan Shapiro, U.S. Ambassador to Israel; Charles Rivkin, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs; Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce; Avi Hasson, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy; Neil Corney, Managing Director, Citi Country Officer for Israel; and Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director, BIRD Foundation.

On the occasion of the Chamber’s mission and JEDG meetings, Ambassador Shapiro published an op-ed praising the private sector and government delegations to Israel and calling for additional trade and investment between our two economies. The op-ed can be found here (in Hebrew).

The delegation also participated in the annual Israel America Chamber of Commerce Gala Dinner, which was attended by more than 500 leading Israeli business people. Khush Choksy addressed the audience, which included Ahmet Bozer, COO of The Coca-Cola Company, Minister of Interior Gideon Saar, Ofra Strauss, Chair of the AmCham, and U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro. See here for more information on the AmCham Gala Dinner event.

At the conclusion of the two-day trip, the Chamber submitted ten recommendations for improving the commercial relationship between the United States and Israel and identifying opportunities in new economic sectors. Those recommendations include establishing a bilateral strategic economic dialogue, updating the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement, promoting support for energy development, and including Israel in the visa waiver program. The delegation also proposed recommendations related to cybersecurity, research and development, intellectual property, and infrastructure procurement, among others. The U.S.-Israel Business Initiative’s full recommendations are available here.

The JEDG is the pre-eminent government-to-government economic dialogue between the U.S. and Israel. This year’s JEDG attracted significant participation from both the U.S. and Israeli governments, including a concluding session with both U.S. Secretary of Treasury Jacob J. Lew and Israeli Minister of Finance Yair Lapid. The U.S. Embassy’s press release can be found here, and a transcript of Secretary Lew’s speech can be found here.

International trade and investment is a key component of the Chamber’s 2014 American Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda, an ambitious plan to generate stronger economic growth, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all Americans.