Israel’s Transportation Ministry is offering grants of 150,000 shekels (about $39,000) to public transportation companies that purchase natural gas-powered buses for their fleets. Vehicles powered by natural gas are expected to save energy and reduce air pollution. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=29931

As predicted in my Apr 2015 newsletter, Israel and Panama have now signed a Free Trade Agreement to include access to markets, customs, services, investments and intellectual property. It is the first FTA that Panama has signed with a Middle … Continue reading →

Israel’s Economy Ministry’s Chief Scientist Avi Hasson has signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for joint R&D projects. The bank joins Israel’s Multinational Corporations program, which develops new products and technologies in Israel for global use. http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-fintech-teams-up-with-australias-biggest-bank/

Interesting extract of a session in the Australian parliament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzZ_0fD0R_E

Israel’s food exports to North America are at a record level. Israel exported $135 million of processed food and beverages in the first half of 2015, a growth of 5% from 2014. Exports of fresh fruits and vegetables in the … Continue reading →

Israeli startup GetGems declined the minimum $250,000 it won in the 43 North startup competition, as it required relocation to Buffalo and a 5% equity donation. GetGems, a member of Citi’s TLV Innovation Lab, has invented PayKey, enabling secure payments … Continue reading →

Two Israeli companies, Enlight and Migdal have teamed up to invest $100 million in renewable energy projects outside Israel. Enlight specializes in initiating, developing, and operating projects that generate electricity from solar and wind power in Israel and Europe. http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-enlight-migdal-to-invest-100m-in-foreign-energy-cos-1001088915

Technion graduate Alex Domeshek developed LabSuit to help his wife Helen manage a chemistry lab. It is now in use in 200 Israeli laboratories. LabSuit manages the lab’s inventory by connecting to other labs in a “virtual community”, exchanging excess … Continue reading →