Governor Kulongoski Leads Trade Mission to Israel to Expand Clean Tech; Other Opportunities for Oregon Companies

Governor Also Visited in 2008

Governor Ted Kulongoski departed for Israel last week, leading a group
of public and private sector leaders on a nine-day business development
mission to promote Oregon as a center for green energy, security defense
equipment, and environmental equipment technologies, while also
promoting Oregon products in the Israeli market.

“Israel is a world leader in sustainability, high-tech and software
development and electric vehicles,” the Governor said. “There is much
untapped expertise and venture capital in Israel that could benefit our
state greatly if relationships are developed and partnerships are
fostered. That’s what this mission is about.”

As part of the mission, the Governor signed a Memorandum of
Cooperation on October 27 with the nation of Israel to build on
business-to-business opportunities and joint collaboration on
alternative energy, security and innovation initiatives.

The Governor also will promote commercial development R&D
opportunities with Oregon universities and Signature Research Centers
and represent the interests of the newly formed Oregon-Israel Business
Alliance, which has been organized by a group of Oregon private-sector
business leaders to create new business ties with Israel.

The Governor also will tour the Intel research and manufacturing
facility at Kiryat Gat and learn more about the company’s planned
expansion of facilities there. Among those joining the Governor on this
mission were Wally Van Valkenburg, chair of the Oregon Business
Development Commission; Brian Shipley, the Governor’s deputy chief of
staff; Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland; Diane
Daggett, Intel’s director of U.S. corporate affairs; Karen Goddin,
Managing Director of Business Oregon’s Business, Innovation & Trade
Division; and Business Oregon Clean Tech Industry Strategist, Mark
Brady.

Israel’s major industrial sectors include high-technology electronic
and biomedical equipment, metal products, processed foods, chemicals and
transport equipment. It is a world leader in software development as
well as a leader in solar thermal and water conservation systems and
transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles, and Israel is the country
company with the most companies listed on NASDAQ, the main stock
exchange for technology companies.

The Governor and Oregon’s universities, venture capitalists and
private business leaders are using this mission to strengthen
relationships with the Israeli government and private companies based in
Israel. Oregon exported more than $107 million in goods and services to
Israel in 2009.

This is the Governor’s second business mission to Israel. The first was in the spring of 2008.