Australia establishes landing pad in Israel
The establishment of a ‘landing pad’ in Tel Aviv, Israel, will provide emerging Australian companies with access to new opportunities to reach global markets.
Australia’s ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma, Senator George Brandis, Benjamin Netanyahu and Christopher Pyne
The landing pad was announced today at an Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce business lunch in Tel Aviv.
“Under the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Government will invest $36 million over five years through a Global Innovation Strategy to improve Australia’s international innovation and science collaboration,” said Australian Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Christopher. The Minister is visiting Israel with Attorney-General Senator George Brandis.
“This will include $11 million to establish five landing pads in Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley and three other locations across the globe.”
Mr Pyne said Australia was one of the only leading innovative countries without established landing pads in key economies around the world.
“The five landing pads will provide market-ready startups with a short-term operational base in global innovation hotspots.”
“The initiative gives companies access to entrepreneurial talent, mentors, investors and a wider connected network of innovation hubs.
“The National Innovation and Science Agenda is designed to create a modern, dynamic 21st century for Australia.
“The landing pad initiative will help ambitious and creative Australian companies surround themselves with the knowledge, inspiration and access to markets they need to take that all-important next step.”
“My trip to Israel has been incredibly productive. I have met a range of university, research and government representatives to discuss commercialisation approaches, research collaboration and how Australia can best transform its economy into one based on innovation,” Mr Pyne said.
The opportunities and challenges for Australia’s innovation ecosystem, and a Statement on Innovation Cooperation were at the centre of discussions when Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, met with Israel’s Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy in Tel Aviv overnight.
Minister Pyne said the meeting with Mr Avi Hasson was an opportunity to learn about Israel’s approach to driving innovation, and how the nation’s new National Authority for Technology and Innovation will lead to further developments in the sector.
“Israel’s economic transformation into a country with one of the highest levels of innovation and entrepreneurship in the world has won praise from many economies, including ours,” Mr Pyne said.
“It’s an opportune time for the Australian Government to sound out advice from other nations that have embraced innovation as a means of boosting economic growth.”
Minister Pyne said the signing of a Statement on Innovation Cooperationwith Israel was also timely, given the very recent release of the Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.
“This Statement signals our two countries’ intention to continue to negotiate on two treaties – one on furthering our relationships in Industrial Research and Development, and one on collaboration in Science and Technology.”
He said the meeting with the Israeli Chief Scientist helped the Government continue to make great strides in this space by gaining an important insight into the path Israel has taken in putting innovation at the centre of its economic transformation.
President of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Rovert Goot told J-Wire: “Israel’s miracle economy provides a model for Australia to follow in the post mining boom period. Australia and Israel are both modern, innovative, middle-power democracies, and have much to gain by working together. It is heartening that Australia has recognised Israel as a global innovation hotspot and chosen Tel Aviv as an operational base for promising Australian start-ups . There is unlimited potential to create new, sustainable jobs and prosperity for Australia. Palestinian leaders would benefit enormously from emulating Australia’s example and abandoning the tired, failed policies of the past, which have brought their people nothing but disaster. By making peace with Israel instead of continually attacking and vilifying it, the Palestinians could have a modern, viable economy which would provide the basis which they currently lack for a modern viable State. “
This morning I’m so very proud of being an Australian. Suck it in BDS.
Re Debbie Scholem’s comment – I could not say it better