WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with its Israel affiliate the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Israel), today launched Business Israel, a multi-year program to bring executives from leading business organizations across the U.S. to Israel. The program launched with an inaugural mission led by Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber. The delegation included seventeen CEOs and presidents from state and major metropolitan chambers of commerce from across the U.S.
“The U.S.-Israel commercial relationship supports thousands of jobs in the U.S. and drives technological innovation that benefits our companies and economies,” said Brilliant. “By bringing American state and local chamber executives to Israel, we can encourage international collaboration and boost economic growth in our cities, states, and country.”
Business Israel will bring state and local chamber executives from all fifty states to Israel over the next three years to expand markets for American exports and attract investment to the U.S., as well as collaborate with Israeli companies in sectors such as water and agriculture, cybersecurity, and health.
“This multi -year program is an asset to American-Israeli economic relations, as it will enable the American chambers to see, first-hand, what Israel has to offer. The strategic alliance between the United States and Israel is based on our shared values and goals, and I strongly believe that our bilateral commerce will surely guarantee further success,” said Ofra Strauss, Chairperson of the Board, Strauss Group and the AmCham Israel.
America’s first free trade agreement was with Israel in 1985. There are more companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange from Israel than from any country other than the U.S. Forty percent of all investment into the U.S. from the Middle East region comes from Israel. Israel is the second largest importer of U.S. goods in its region, despite representing only two percent of the population.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
###
