Arkansas Signs MOU with Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority
June 14, 2022WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 14, 2022) – Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston today joined Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority Dr. Ami Appelbaum and Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Arkansas and the Israel Innovation Authority. Under this agreement, Arkansas and Israel will promote and support cooperation in technological innovation, research, and development among businesses, corporations, research universities, and other entities within their borders.
“This is a mutually beneficial partnership between two leaders in innovation,” Governor Hutchinson said. “The agreement builds on the momentum we have created for the past eight years to develop a tech-based workforce that can meet the needs of a 21st century economy. In addition, this agreement allows us to strengthen our relationship with a critical ally to the United States.”
"Israel is a country that has almost no water resources needed for agriculture and no traditional automotive industry, yet, with a uniquely successful technological innovation ecosystem, we have created booming agro-tech and smart mobility sectors that include hundreds of companies and startups that are among the leading in their respective fields worldwide,” Dr. Appelbaum said. “The collaboration between Israel and Arkansas in these sectors and many others where there is a mutually beneficial synergy will help further develop these fields and help create solutions that are likely to leave their mark on the entire world."
Arkansas and Israel will share information on projects that will aid in the development of economic and commercial cooperation. By working together in the research and development of innovative products and processes, both Arkansas and Israel can better leverage resources to develop new technologies that can be commercialized in global markets.
Ms. Livia Link-Raviv, Consul General of Israel to the Southwest said: “This is an exciting day as we cement our path together in building ecosystems of innovation that will benefit the future of both Israelis and Arkansans. Just last November I had the honor of accompanying Governor Hutchinson, as well as Secretary Preston on a delegation to Israel where we met with Chairman Appelbaum and discussed all of the potential between our two burgeoning high-tech and innovation sectors, and today’s signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is just the most recent fruit from that productive trip.”
The agreement builds on an already positive relationship between Arkansas and Israel. For the past several years, Israel has been a strong trading partner with Arkansas. In 2021, trade between Israel and Arkansas was valued at nearly $104 million. Grant recipients in Arkansas from U.S.-Israel binational foundations include the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, the National Center for Toxicological Research, and the University of Arkansas.
“Israel is one of the most business friendly, innovative, and forward-thinking places in the world, and the Natural State is likewise paving the way for the future of technological innovation,” Secretary Preston said. “Stimulating innovation and economic growth are of mutual concern to both Arkansas and Israel, making this partnership a natural fit.”
Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority provides practical tools and funding to address local and international innovation, including early-stage entrepreneurs, mature companies developing new products or processes, academic groups, global corporations interested in collaborating with Israeli technology, and Israeli companies seeking global markets. For more information on the Israel Innovation Authority, visit innovationisrael.org.il/en/.
The agreement is effective immediately.
