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Investors' Trade Mission to Israel Sunday 20Th Investors’ Trade Mission to Israel Sunday 20th – Sunday 27th November, 2016 Background Since 1989, the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce has been facilitating annual trade delegations to and from Israel to help encourage trade, and foster closer business relationships between Australia and Israel. Commercial outcomes derived from these missions extend beyond the bilateral trade statistics as they include joint ventures, technology transfer agreements, academic exchanges, partnership arrangements in third markets, cooperation agreements between Australian and Israeli business associations and an increase in trade. Each of these missions is themed around relevant Australian industry policy, and the objective is to deliver not only commercial benefits to the companies, but also make a contribution to the Australian economy. Encouraging diverse representation from political leaders, public sector decision makers, academia, and broad private sector interests assists such outcomes. AICC Missions play an important role in raising the awareness of the opportunities that exist between the two countries. The increase in the frequency, seniority and size of these delegations in recent years is testament to the growing recognition by Australian business of the importance of such missions. Mission Concept Israel is ranked world's 1st for innovative capacity and for entrepreneurship. It boasts one of the most highly educated, entrepreneurial, and multi-cultural workforces. Israel's creative, skilled, and ambitious workforce is one of the reasons leading executives turn to Israel to do business. Israel’s unique business ecosystem has resulted in a worldwide reputation for investment from Venture Capitals, High Net Worth Individuals and Multi-National Companies. The Trade Mission will focus on investing in Israel’s technology industry, innovative culture and extraordinary start-up environment. Other objectives include meeting, learning and discovering how Israel – a country with less than eight million citizens, was able to set up a world class technology-based economy and infrastructure, with significant government support and a large, active Venture Capital network, as well as understanding the unique components of Israel’s society that lend to its vibrant entrepreneurial culture. The weeklong visit also includes geo-political briefings, cultural experiences, networking events (including reception at the Australian Ambassador’s residence) and visits to some of Israel’s most iconic tourist destinations, including the Old City of Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada. Why Israel? Per capita, Israel has the largest number of start-up companies in the world Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds behind the U.S. Israel has more NASDAQ-listed companies than any other country, besides the U.S. and China Israel has the world's 3rd highest rate of entrepreneurship -the highest rate among women and among people over 55 Israel's scientific research institutions are ranked 3rd in the world What is it about Israel’s ecosystem that makes it so attractive to investment? Why are Australian investment institutions & banks looking to Israel for their strategic success? Fast Facts Israel is 1st in the world for expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP (IMD 2009) Israel is 2nd in the world for availability of scientists and engineers (IMD 2009) Israel has the 3rd most accessible VC Industry in the world (IMD 2009) Israel leads recycling with 70% of its wastewater, three times the figure for number 2 Spain Israel is 1st in total number of granted patents per capita in the medical device area Israel is the 2nd leading publisher of stem cell research, in absolute numbers The world’s first commercially successful color printing press was launched in Israe Israel is the world’s spiritual hub for innovation and a powerhouse for revolutionary R&D This Mission This trade mission will be a limited & exclusive opportunity to explore the success of the “cashed up nation” of Israel and learn how six core factors contribute to the why & how of Israel’s unique economy: 1. Government support & funding The Israel government plays an integral part in the support of the investment eco-system by supporting the high-risk end of the investment spectrum. You will learn how & why the Israeli government invests tax dollars into the highest risk ventures in the eco-system. 2. Universities & commercialisation Israel universities are a key player in developing an innovation & investor ready economy. The mission will enable connectivity & understanding of the uniqueness of universities in the development & commercialisation of start-ups, and the “value” of a shared IP model to investors. 3. Celebrating Success & Failure Israel is the Worlds “Start-Up Nation”. Successful start-ups are Israel’s rock stars. Learn about the unique concept of celebration of both success & failure breeds a new culture of investor savvy entrepreneurs. 4. 20 Years of Investment Culture With over 5000 start-ups in progress and 1/5 of these succeed every year, it's no wonder investment & capital continues to pour into Israel. The unique human factor is a keen contributor to the success of Israel’s success in developing and commercialising a global demand for innovation. What are the key drivers of this cultural nirvana and how can we drive similar change & understanding into Australia’s business sector? 5. The development of Israeli Investors Israeli investors re-invest! this drives global investor confidence. How & why do successful Israelis always reinvest their success into their own ecosystem. This mission will enable direct conversation with the “top end” of Israel’s own investor ecosystem, with key learnings being shared by some of the biggest “rock stars” of Israel’s business landscape. 6. The Role of Multi Nationals All over the world we hear stories of the biggest names in the corporate world setting up R & D facilities in Israel. A look around the skyline of Tel Aviv reveals brands such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, etc. How does this global confidence drive investment confidence? Learn how Australia needs to create a MNC R&D investment strategy to entice better confidence. GENERAL INFORMATION Israel is located in Southwest Asia between the Mediterranean and the deserts of Syria and Arabia. The country's geographical borders are the Mediterranean to the West, the Jordan Valley Rift to the East, and the mountains of Lebanon to the North with Eilat Bay marking the country's southern tip. Although small in territory, Israel's landscape and climate are varied, and its dense population does not interfere with a wealth of plants and wildlife, as well as many natural attractions. Israel Overview Official languages: Hebrew, Arabic. Currency: The New Israeli Sheqel (NIS), which is divided into 100 agorot (as of January 1986). Capital: Jerusalem Governing system: Democratic – parliamentary. Area of the country: 22,072 sq. km. Distance between farthest points: 465 km. (290 miles), north to south. Coastline: Length of Mediterranean Sea coast 194 km. Length of Red Sea coast about 12 km. Lowest point: The Dead Sea, 420 m. below sea level (lowest spot on Earth). Highest point: Mount Hermon, 2,224 m. Climate: Israel is on a “climatic crossroads”, between an arid climate in the south and east and a temperate Mediterranean climate in the rest of the country. Population: In May 2011 - about 7.8 million inhabitants (Jews and others –approx. 80%, Arabs – approx. 20%). Israel GDP 1960 – 2016 The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Israel was worth 305.68 billion US dollars in 2014. The GDP value of Israel represents 0.49 percent of the world economy. GDP in Israel averaged 76.60 USD Billion from 1960 until 2014, reaching an all-time high of 305.68 USD Billion in 2014 and a record low of 2.60 USD Billion in 1962. GDP in Israel is reported by the World Bank Group. Israel GDP Annual Growth Rate 1996-2016 The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Israel expanded 2.30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Israel averaged 3.78 percent from 1996 until 2015, reaching an all-time high of 10.73 percent in the third quarter of 2000 and a record low of - 3.24 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Israel is reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel. Israel GDP Growth Rate 1980-2016 Israel's economy expanded 0.94 percent on quarter in the three months to December of 2015, following a 0.6 percent growth in the previous period, the third estimates showed. Private consumption advanced 1.9 percent, investment rose 2.6 percent, exports increased 0.8 percent and imports grew 4.7 percent. GDP Growth Rate in Israel averaged 1.02 percent from 1980 until 2015, reaching an all-time high of 7.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 1982 and a record low of -3.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 1985. GDP Growth Rate in Israel is reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel. Israel GDP per capita 1960-2016 The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Israel was last recorded at 24540.58 US dollars in 2014. The GDP per Capita in Israel is equivalent to 194 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Israel averaged 14144.85 USD from 1960 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 24540.58 USD in 2014 and a record low of 5145.13 USD in 1960. GDP per capita in Israel is reported by the World Bank. Israel GDP per capita PPP 1990-2016 The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Israel was last recorded at 31179.76 US dollars in 2014, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Israel, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 176 percent of the world's average.
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