Israel Active

Israel’s Haifa Group (see previously) has been expanding its sustainable agricultural technology business across the planet. It is also developing new seeds at Aaronsohn Farm in Atlit where agronomist and Nili founder Aaron Aaronsohn re-discovered the original wild wheat.

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Global diagnostics company Veracyte is acquiring Israeli cancer care startup C2i for . US company Delinea has acquired Israeli cybersecurity for “”

Israel’s digital bank One Zero (previously First Digital Bank – see ) is expanding its reach to Italy. Calcalist reports that it is poised to sign an agreement with Italian bank Generali.

Israel’s C2A security (see previously) is a strategic partner for Chinese software company ThunderSoft and will contribute to ThunderSoft’s new vehicle operation system - Dishui. All vehicle manufacturers must include cybersecurity provisions in their new and old vehicles from 2024.

Air France, Bulgaria Air, Lot (Poland), Blue Bird (Czech Republic), Vueling (Spain), Transavia (France) and TUS (Cyprus) have all announced they are resuming flights to Israel this month. Luftansa, Swiss and Austrian airlines have already resumed.

Mathios Rigas, CEO of energy company Energean, reminded delegates at the Israel Business Conference that Israel is the only energy independent Mediterranean country. Europe relied on Russia and could suffer another fuel price crisis in a cold winter. Israel’s energy prices are stable, even during a war.

Israel's foreign exchange reserves rose by $6.468 billion in Dec 23 to end the year at $204.367 billion, close to record levels. The value of the Shekel has risen, despite an expectation that the Shekel would depreciate due to the war and signifies global confidence in Israel’s economy.

Israel has announced assistance plan for those serving in the army reserves with an annual cost of NIS 9 billion. It includes grants and payments to combat and non-combat soldiers and family members; compensation for business recovery & lost profits; vacation & maternity leave grants.

Israel is investing NIS 100 million to set up nine innovation centers in regions away from Israel’s center. They will help local entrepreneurs build technical solutions for food tech, agritech, desert tech, aquaculture, biotech, health tech, climate, renewable energy, green building tech, innovation, and AI.