Government and Commerce The Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange Atlanta is home to the Consulate General to the (GILEE) is a joint public safety partnerships project that Southeast which has jurisdiction over Alabama, facilitates inter-agency cooperation and training Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina between state of Georgia law enforcement agencies and Tennessee. Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer has and the police force of the state of Israel. This served as Consul General since November 2015. partnership has been in place since 1992.

The state of Georgia has had representation in Israel Academics since 1994. The University System of Georgia (USG) offers three

study abroad programs to Israel in business and Conexx: America Israel Business Connector was dance. More than 50 Israeli students were enrolled in established in 1992 as the American-Israel Chamber of USG schools during the 2015-16 school year and 58 Commerce to help Israeli and Southeastern businesses USG students studied in Israel. USG institutions explore new markets and develop business relations. currently host 17 visiting scholars from Israeli The chamber is headquartered in Atlanta. universities.

Former Governor Zell Miller established the Georgia- Emory University provides exchange programs with Israel Exchange in 1992 to explore emerging both University and Hebrew University in technology, enhance trade, encourage tourism and . jointly participate in economic development programs.

In March 2015, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed participated Arts, Culture and Tourism in a mission to Israel organized by the Georgia Atlanta is home to the largest Jewish Film Festival in Department of Economic Development, the Metro the world. The 23-day festival features contemporary Atlanta Chamber and Conexx. Delegates attended the and classic independent Jewish film from around the Cybertech cyber security conference in Tel Aviv. world.

In June 2014, Governor Nathan Deal led a business Since 2009, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival has and government delegation to Israel, promoting trade expanded into a year-round producer of more than 60 and investment opportunities with the state of Georgia. diverse Jewish music experiences annually and often featuring Israeli traditional and contemporary Georgia and Israel have three sister-city agreements: musicians. In 2016, the Festival presented the Atlanta - Ra’anana, Atlanta - Yokne’am and Sandy internationally popular group A-Wa, three sisters who Springs – Western Galilee. meld Yemenite traditional music with Hip Hop and electronic music.

Emory University’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts more than 1,080 Georgians. A list can be found featured a Festival of Contemporary Dance and online at insite.georgia.org. Theater from Israel as part of its 2016-2017 season. The Atlanta Opera’s General and Artistic Director, In February 2015, Caesarstone, an Israeli Tomer Zvulun, is an Israeli citizen. manufacturer of high-quality engineered quartz surfaces, announced an expansion in Bryan County 402,600 Israelis traveled to the U.S. in 2015 marking expected to create more than 130 jobs for two consecutive years for growth in visitation. Georgians.

International Trade Transportation The U.S.–Israel Free Trade Agreement took effect on Delta Air Lines offers multiple daily one-stop flights September 1, 1985, eliminating duties on manufactured from Atlanta to Tel Aviv via New York, Paris and goods. Amsterdam.

EXPORTS: In 2015 Georgia exports to Israel totaled The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah has an $180.5 million. Israel is currently the 41st largest established relationship with two ports in Israel. GPA export market for Georgia. offers one weekly shipping service to the Port of and one weekly shipping service to the Port of . Top exports from Georgia to Israel include heavy machinery, paper and paperboard, civilian aircraft, About GDEcD electrical machinery and wood pulp. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the Georgia leads the nation in the export of the following lead agency for attracting new business investment, goods to Israel: parts of gas turbines, carpets and other encouraging the expansion of existing industry and textile floor coverings, kaolin, marble and related small businesses, aligning workforce education and building stones and wood pulp. training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and IMPORTS: In 2015, Georgia imports from Israel totaled promoting the state as a destination for arts and $437.7 million. Israel ranks 28th among Georgia’s location for film, music and digital entertainment importer nations. projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development Top imports from Israel include plastics, medical equipment, aircraft and spacecraft, toys and sports GDEcD’s International Representative in equipment and heavy machinery. Israel Sima Amir Capital Investment Managing Director At least 4 Georgia companies have operations in State of Georgia – Israel Israel, including but not limited to: 27 Histadrut Street, 4527027 ARRIS Hod Hasharon – ISRAEL Delta Air Lines +972 50 9478817 PrimeGlobal [email protected] Travelport

There are at least 43 Israeli facilities operating in *Information valid as of January 2017

Georgia, of which at least 6 are manufacturing locations. These Israeli-affiliated companies employ