Israel Active

Israel Military Industries will supply the Dutch army with its Iron Fist light active defense system for armored personnel carriers (APCs). The Dutch army is the first NATO country to adopt active defense technologies for its armored units.

I reported previously on Israeli startup Healthwatch and its shirt technology comprising electrodes that measure the wearer’s vital signs.  China’s Shijiazhuang Yiling has just invested $20 million in the Israeli startup.

I reported previously about Green in the City – a 100 sqm farm on the roof of Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Center. The farm is now 750 sqm, produces 10,000 heads of lettuce per month, grows 17 different varieties of greens and herbs and even a banana tree.

Jerusalem Venture Partners and AXA Strategic Ventures have launched the InsurTech Israel Competition, to find groundbreaking companies in the field of InsurTech” for the changing insurance world. The winner will receive a $1 million investment and other business support.

CreditEase China, one of the world’s largest microcredit and wealth management firms, is raising a new $50 million fund to invest in Israeli smart manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, and Augmented Reality technology.

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued a new regulation allowing planes to land in difficult vision conditions if the pilot has special accessory systems. The announcement has raised interest in the ClearVision system from Israel’s Elbit.- the first system to comply with the new rules.

Israeli airline EL Al is purchasing the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine for its Boing 787 Dreamliners.  The $1 billion deal gives the UK its largest ever trade deal with Israel.

Copia Agro & Food is raising $50 million to expand its investments in Israel. The fund aims to create technologies and products aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of the food chain and decrease the adverse effects of agriculture on the environment.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has been leading a delegation of some 50 business and academic leaders from Massachusetts to Israel.  A similar visit in 2014 resulted in several new partnerships and business deals.

Exports of Israeli goods rose 7.7% in November, raising Israel’s Composite State of the Economy index up 0.34% from its Oct value.  Job vacancy numbers also increased.  Israel’s debt to GDP ratio is now 60.4% - close to the Government’s 60% target for 2020.