Tennis stars invest in Israeli training system
World number two tennis player Novak Djokovic and tennis women's legend Billie Jean King have joined in the latest $3.5 million round of funding into PlaySight Interactive - the Israeli company that has developed the SmartCourt sports analytics system.
UK on-line retailer uses Israeli software
UK’s online retail giant Shop Direct, based in Liverpool, has teamed up with Israel’s Cimagine Media and yRuler to launch a new service that will allow shoppers to try-out products virtually before they buy them. The brands include Very, Isme and Littlewoods.
El Al boost number of flights from USA by 30%
El Al Airlines’ Spring schedule now has 31 weekly nonstop flights between North America and Israel. They include 22 flights from New York (JFK/Newark), five from Los Angeles and four from Toronto, Canada.
Tourism at new record levels
(Thanks to algemeiner.com) The number of tourists visiting Israel in April was a record-breaking 385,000 – 9% more than in Apr 2013. Even after accounting for the Passover/Easter effect, the increase was still 5%. Over 1 million tourists have visited Israel in 2014 – 16% more than in 2013.
Finance raised to drill Leviathan gas
The developers of Israel’s massive natural gas deposits at the Leviathan field have successfully raised the $2billion necessary to continue the project. Leviathan’s 18 trillion cubic feet of gas should start flowing in 2016, ensuring Israel’s future energy requirements are secure.
First Turkey, now Egypt wants Israeli gas
Israel’s new found energy resource could be a big peacemaker. Following Turkey’s announcement that it was buying natural gas from Israel, now Egypt’s suppliers have signed a letter of intent to purchase supplies from Israel. Israel used to import Egyptian gas but not any more.
China wants to improve Israeli STI ties
Chinese Vice-Premier of the State Council Liu Yandong makes the case for better Israel-China cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI). She cites historical links, growth in bi-lateral trade, the value of STI and the mutual benefits of cooperation between the two countries.
R&D between Victoria and Israel
The Victorian Government of Australia will grant up to $250,000 for Victorian companies to work with Israeli companies on research and development in science, innovation and technology. The Israeli Government will offer Israeli companies soft loans of up to 50% of R&D expenses.
GDP per capita hits new high
Israel's gross domestic product for the fourth quarter of 2013 crossed the NIS 1 trillion mark ($302 billion) for the first time ever. The figure was over a third more than the previous high of $226 billion in Q4 2010. As a result, 2013’s GDP per capita also hit a record high - NIS 130,700 ($37,500).
Currency reserves at new record
At the end of April, Israel had the equivalent of over $86 billion in foreign exchange deposits - nearly 1 billion more than at the end of March. Israel’s National Reserve Fund due to the natural gas program now totals over $3 billion.