Making it “easy” to fly from France to Israel
Low cost carrier easyJet plc will launch a new direct route between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, starting 30th March 2015. Ticket prices for the flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays start from 45.99 Euros one-way.
Strengthening Indo-Israeli ties
Experts at the seventh India Israel Forum – the Indo-Israel Innovation Colloquium in Mumbai – explored further ties between the two nations in innovation, information technology, healthcare, water technology, renewable energy, wellness and engineering sectors.
Zaatar chocolate wins international gold
Israel’s Ika Cohen shared a gold medal at the International Chocolate Awards in London. Ika Chocolate’s zaatar truffle won a joint gold medal in the “flavored dark ganaches and truffles” section of the competition.
Mutual support between Indiana and Israel
US State of Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence undertook a nine-day trip to Israel, which included an “economic development mission to bring jobs and investment to Indiana.” Governor Pence expressed his view that support for Israel in the US has never been stronger.
Cheaper electricity, water and gasoline
Israel’s electricity rate is being cut by 9.4% with effect from January thanks to the natural gas from the Tamar reservoir. Water rates are being reduced by 10% effective from 1st Jan 2015. Gasoline prices were also cut by 10%.
More flights this winter
Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority expects an extra 106 weekly flights to and from Israel this winter. The main reason is the first stage of the Open Skies agreement between Israel and Europe.
New car sales soar
One indicator shows an improvement of confidence in the Israeli economy – sales of new cars for 2014 are 14% higher than the same period in 2013. 229,294 were delivered from Jan to Nov 2014.
Productivity is rising
Israeli wages may be low compared to the US and Europe, but latest research from the Hebrew University shows that Israeli productivity is on the rise – contrary to previously disputed statistics.
Jerusalem – the startup capital
Over 800 investors and entrepreneurs converged at OurCrowd’s Jerusalem offices to participate in its startup conference. OurCrowd manages a network and website that has raised $80 million for hi-tech Israeli startups, with investors able to place $10,000 or more in each new enterprise.
A solar field for Georgia
Israeli solar company Energiya has won a $30 million contract to build a 17.68 MW solar field in the US state of Georgia. It is the first of a dozen projects the company plans to launch in southeast USA.