Developing high-level links with Israel

Thursday 27 February 2014

Jersey’s business links with Israel have been reinforced following a meeting in London between the Minister for Economic Development and the country’s Minister of Economy, Naftali Bennett.

The two men sat next to each other at an invitation-only breakfast event at the Israeli Embassy. Senator Alan Maclean took the opportunity to underline Jersey’s desire to work with Israel’s well established technology sector.

The Senator said: “Developing high-level business links with Israel continues to be a focus for us this year, and being invited to meet Minister Bennett demonstrates the good progress we are making. The event gave us a rare opportunity to strengthen the ties between Jersey and Israel and explain at a ministerial level the benefits of Jersey as a business location and the success achieved to date. There are significant opportunities for Israel and Jersey to work together, particularly within the financial services and technology sectors. We can learn much from Israel’s approach to entrepreneurship, innovation and supporting ambitious young people.”

Attending the breakfast was part of activity aimed at building positive business relationships between the Island and Israel.

In addition to being Israel's Minister of Economy, Mr Bennett is also Minister of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs and Minister of Religious Services.  He is chairman of HaBayit Hayehudi, the third largest party in the government, a member of the inner Security Cabinet, and, before entering politics, was a successful businessman.

In December, Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst led a three-day visit to Israel, organised by Locate Jersey, and participated in a plenary session at the Globes Israel Business Conference in Tel Aviv. Next month Israeli serial entrepreneur Yossi Vardi is making his first visit to Jersey to speak at the Island Innovators [un]Conference.