Governor Ducey Announces Opening Of Arizona-Israel Trade And Investment Office In Tel Aviv

PHOENIX, AZ (November 7, 2019) — Governor Doug Ducey today announced the opening of Arizona’s first trade and investment office in Israel. The new office, a part of the Arizona Commerce Authority, is located in Tel Aviv and creates a platform for businesses in both countries to increase international trade and foreign direct investment opportunities.

“The opening of Arizona's trade office in Tel Aviv, Israel promises to further advance the strong relationship between our states,” said Governor Ducey. “We look forward to increased collaboration in our shared areas of strength — technology and innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship and more.”

In 2015, Governor Ducey became the first Arizona governor to lead a trade mission to Israel. During the visit, he attended the Water Technology and Environment Control symposium, highlighting the similar water management challenges and efforts to build thriving economies in arid desert landscapes. Both Arizona and Israel continue to work together to advance forward-thinking water policy and freshwater science innovation.

In 2018, imports and exports between Arizona and Israel totaled more than $460 million, which is more than twice the volume since 2010. Currently, 20 Israeli-owned companies are operating in Arizona in aerospace and defense, business and financial services and technology and innovation.

“Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona continues to increase our global competitiveness and build strategic cross-border relationships,” said Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO Sandra Watson. “Israel is key among those relationships and we’re thrilled to be establishing a physical presence there with the launch of this new trade office. I’d like to thank Governor Ducey for his incredible commitment to growing Arizona’s economy, and Representative Rivero for his leadership in helping establish our Israel office.”

The Arizona Commerce Authority has selected David Ya’ari, an entrepreneur and business leader with an extensive background in technology and finance, to lead the Tel Aviv office full-time. The office was funded in the fiscal year 2020 budget approved by the Arizona State Legislature. It adopts the efficient management process developed and practiced at the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Mexico City Trade and Investment Office, which provides representation for Arizona’s thriving business environment with minimal administrative and overhead costs.

“I was proud to spearhead this in coordination with the Arizona Commerce Authority to establish Arizona’s trade office in Israel,” said Representative Tony Rivero. “I thank my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Ducey for helping secure funding so that this plan could become a reality, and I look forward to building on our international partnership with Israel so that Arizona can continue to increase economic growth.”

The Israeli trade office is located in the Be All Innovation Society in Tel Aviv’s Alon Tower.

Media contact

Connie Weber, [email protected], (602) 845-1243

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.