Paying tribute to Israel’s trading partners
MAGNOLIA Silver Jewellery, Soda Stream and Check Point Software Technologies were among the honourees at this year’s Israel-Australia Trade Awards.
MAGNOLIA Silver Jewellery, Soda Stream and Check Point Software Technologies were among the honourees at this year’s Israel-Australia Trade Awards.
Presented by the Israel Trade Commission and the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC), this year’s awards featured a rejuvenated format where Israeli businesses and their Australian counterparts were jointly honoured.
A plethora of industries was represented, with plastic products manufacturer Indent Direct sharing the stage with retail chain Big W, software company NICE Systems pairing with Telstra, and food importer Benedikt Imports receiving an award with Woolworths, among others.
AICC NSW president Kim Jacobs was also honoured, receiving an award for Lifetime Contribution to Israel-Australia Relations.
The awardees were announced by Israeli Trade Commissioner Ethy Levy, who gave a presentation on the Israel-Australia trade relationship and her vision to double the value of trade, attract more investment to Israel and extend the scope of research and development cooperation between the two countries.
“There is much that we could share and cooperate [in], especially with the medical sector and telecommunication,” she said.
Austrade CEO Bruce Gosper and Israeli Ambassador-Designate Shmuel Ben-Shmuel also spoke at the event.
“Like Australia, Israel is committed to engaging in the global economy,” Gosper said.
“Our governments and business communities share a belief in the importance of trade and investment to national prosperity, and in the role that technology plays in productivity.
“That means we have a lot to talk about in the realm of international trade and commerce.”
Ben-Shmuel said the Israeli economy had defied expectations to grow by four per cent per annum against a backdrop of a deteriorating world economy, while the discovery of natural gas fields off Israel’s coast represented a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Israel’s economic security.
“Chutzpah and will, combined with Australian support and experience in natural resource management, will ensure that we can be efficient and effective, not only in harvesting this resource, but in creating a dynamic economic ecosystem around it,” he said.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Israeli Trade Commissioner Ethy Levy presents Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce NSW president Kim Jacobs with his award.
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