Governor Doug Ducey announced that Arizona opened its first trade and investment office in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The new office is part of the Arizona Commerce Authority. It will serve as platform for businesses in both states to increase international trade and foreign direct investment opportunities.

The Arizona State Legislature approved the office’s funding in the state’s 2020 budget. David Ya’ari, an entrepreneur and business leader with an extensive background in technology and finance, is leading the office.

Since 2015 when Gov. Ducey led a trade mission in Israel, both states been working together to push revolutionary water policy and innovation in freshwater science.

Last year, imports and exports between Arizona and Israel more than doubled $460 million since 2010. Currently, 20 Israeli-owned companies are operating in the state. These companies are engaged in aerospace and defense, business and financial services as well as technology and innovation.

Arizona aims to boost its relationship with Israel

In a statement, Gov. Ducey said the newly-opened trade and investment office will further strengthen Arizona’s relationship with Israel. He said, “We look forward to increased collaboration in our shared areas of strength — technology and innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship and more.”

On the other hand, Arizona Commerce Authority President & CEO Sandra Watson, commented, “Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona continues to increase our global competitiveness and build strategic cross-border relationships. Israel is key among those relationships and we’re thrilled to be establishing a physical presence there with the launch of this new trade office.”

Representative Tony Rivero, said, “I was proud to spearhead this in coordination with the Arizona Commerce Authority to establish Arizona’s trade office in Israel. I thank my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Ducey for helping secure funding so that this plan could become a reality, and I look forward to building on our international partnership with Israel so that Arizona can continue to increase economic growth.”