Gov. Deval Patrick has been negotiating trade possibilities with Israeli companies in order to strengthen economic ties, accelerate job growth and increase investment in the technology sector in Massachusetts, according to a press release released by the governor’s office.
Patrick led a forum on Tuesday with Israeli executives to consider expansion in Massachusetts at the EMC RSA Anti-Fraud Command Center in Herzliya, Israel. RSA is the security division of EMC and the majority of the research for the company takes place in Israeli headquarters.
The forum focused on job growth in progressive industries such as technology, life sciences and clean energy sectors, according to the press release.
“Massachusetts and Israel have a rich history of synergy and collaboration in the tech sector and today we are strengthening those ties,” Patrick said in the press release. “To compete in the global economy, we will help researchers, entrepreneurs, and executives in Massachusetts and Israel build networks and relationships with others who excel in innovation.”
After the forum Massachusetts delegates toured the Israeli offices of GlassHouse Technologies, a global provider of data infrastructure consulting services. The GlassHouse Technologies headquarters are based in Framingham.
“Global companies tap into and connect with multiple innovative locations to further growth and competitiveness,” said Mark Shirman, the president, CEO and Chairman of GlassHouse Technologies, in the press release. “Both Massachusetts and Israel are tech leaders, so it makes a great deal of sense to strengthen these connections.”
There are about 100 companies with Israeli founders or licensed companies in the Commonwealth, according to the press release. These companies employed about 6,000 residents and produced about $2.4 billion in revenue for the state in 2009. Local firms also exported more than $180 million worth of goods.
The United States is Israel’s largest source of imports with about 12 percent of Israeli imports coming from America.
“Innovation is a pillar of our economic development strategy,” said Greg Bialecki, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, in the press release. “Governor Patrick has made it a priority to promote Massachusetts’ global leadership in research and innovation to attract and retain the world’s top talent, and the most innovative businesses.”
Patrick also visited the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel to discuss plans to create a partnership between Massachusetts and Israeli life sciences subdivisions.
“Massachusetts and Israel are world-renowned forces in the life sciences and today’s discussion focused on ways we can bolster our common strengths,” Bialecki said. “International collaboration in investment, research, product development and trade will be key as we create jobs and propel the Commonwealth’s innovation economy forward.”
The trade delegation will be in Israel until March 17, when they are scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom.
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It shows that US government is still supporting the colonial settlements and occupation by supporting the pariah state of Israel
Israel weathered the economic storm of a couple of years ago because of its strict financial regulatory bodies, so Israel is financially stable. It has a highly educated workforce and several American companies have bases in Israel. It is a prime target for investment in high-tech industries, which is exactly what Massachusetts is doing.
The governor would have to be criminally incompetent to ignore an opportunity like that. Good grief, not everything has to be about you all the time. I don’t see any moaning about the governor visiting Great Britain, despite the UK’s “peace walls” in Northern Ireland.
Blah blah blah. The people and government of the US support Israel. You’re the one who’s a pariah.
Yes, Ian… You should write your senators and lobby Congress for the US government [even though this article is discussing the commonwealth of MA] to stop supporting Israel… I wish you the best of luck!