Israel Active

China’s Hainan Airlines has begun operating a direct Beijing – Tel Aviv route three times a week. Hainan Airlines is China’s largest privately-owned airline. Israel is to increase its annual marketing budget for China from 1 million to 15 million shekels.

Israel’s Hype Start-Up Foundation is offering a 100,000 Euro ($113,000) prize to attract startups, entrepreneurs and veteran companies to develop apps and technology that will enhance the Olympic experience for fans, broadcasters, players, and anyone else connected with the games.

Israel’s Frutarom has paid $8.2 million for Germany’s Extrakt Chemie - maker of natural extracts including some used to treat liver diseases, digestive problems and prevent infections.  Frutarom’s fifth acquisition of 2016 is active in Denmark, Switzerland, France, Austria and Australia. Frutarom also has opened a state-of-the-art center for R&D, marketing, and production in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Israel’s Magal S3 has acquired Canada’s Aimetis for around $14 million. Aimetis’ IP video management software will enhance the state-of-the-art perimeter intrusion detection systems developed by Senstar – a subsidiary of Magal.

An Israeli delegation to the Philippines is promoting irrigation technology to cut costs and make water use by farmers more efficient. The companies are Agrotop, Bermad, BioFishency, Eshet Eilon, Metzerplas Cooperative, Netafim, ShneorSeed, and Tefen Flow and Dosing Technologies.

Israel’s TowerJazz will be manufacturing more integrated circuits for Chinese chipmaker 3Peak - thanks to TowerJazz’s new factory in Japan.  TowerJazz produces all of 3Peak’s products.

Israel's Ira Liran cofounded Vita Coco, a globally successful coconut-water business.  The company has 10 manufacturing facilities in eight tropical countries, which altogether utilize two million coconuts daily.

Australia’s New South Wales government has signed an industrial Research & Development agreement with Israel that will team up companies to co-develop and commercialize innovative products.  R&D areas include cyber-security, water management and agricultural technology.

Kemach is unique project in the North of Israel, that gives the country’s ultra-orthodox a crucial first step on the career ladder.  Kemach helps get Charedi men into employment using training, job placements, mentoring and aptitude tests,

Israel’s Chief Scientist has licensed two new technological incubators.  MedX in Or Yehuda will invest in the fields of medical devices, combined medicine and digital health for operations, diagnostics and treatment.  eHealth Ventures in Modi’in Illit will focus on investments in digital health.