A delegation of representatives from 22 Israeli capital funds (venture, private and equity) embarked on a tour to China this week dedicated to raising capital and foreign investments. The delegation aims at raising funds from Chinese businesses for their funds and portfolio companies as well as to scout for strategic partners in China for joint investments in Israel. The delegation aims to foster stronger ties between the Israeli funds and Chinese financial entities, technology companies, large-scale private investors and others. The delegation is showcasing the funds’ attractive investment opportunities for Chinese investors.

The delegation is holding meetings in the leading trade and commercial centers in China, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The trade missions of the Israeli Ministry of Economy is holding special events at all of those locations to encourage investments. These events include B2B meetings between representatives of the Israeli funds and the Chinese investors. Each of the events is expected to host some 150 representatives from leading financial and technology companies, as well as other investment houses and major private investors. Additionally, a networking event will take place at the new Israeli Business Center in Shanghai which was established by the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Economy and inaugurated by Israeli Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett during his recent trip to China.

Col. (res.) Ziva Eger, Director of the Division for Foreign Investment and Industrial Cooperation at the Israeli Ministry Of Economy, is heading the delegation, which includes representatives from funds investing in the life sciences, communications, cleantech and ICT industries. The unit was recently established by merging the Invest in Israel division of the Economy Ministry and the Industrial Cooperation Authority, with the aim of promoting foreign investments in Israel while diversifying the sources, types and fields of investments.

The special events are being run by the commercial attaches of the Foreign Trade Administration in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, and attended by the Israeli ambassador to China and the consul-generals in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The events were organized by the Foreign Trade Administration and the Division for Foreign Investment and Industrial Cooperation at the Israeli Ministry of Economy.

Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Economy, Amit Lang added “These events mark a milestone in our efforts over the past two years aimed at diversifying the sources of investment in Israeli industry. This delegation sends a message to Israeli industry and exporters that China is an attractive market for both Israeli hi-tech exports and for raising capital for investment in the Israeli hi-tech industries. It took a lot of hard work to make the Israeli business sector aware that China is a source of capital that can help strengthen and grow the Israeli hi-tech industry.”

Director of the Division for Foreign Investment and Industrial Cooperation at the Israeli Ministry Of Economy, Col. (res.) Ziva Eger stated “We have placed much emphasis on widening the sources and areas of investment in the Israeli market and we have seen that Asian markets in general – and China specifically – have become key destinations for identifying investors. Lately, we have seen a significant increase in the number of foreign investments in Israel coming from China as well as a rise in the level of interest Israel holds for Chinese investors. This delegation is part of an overall strategy by the Israeli Ministry of Economy to leverage foreign investments as an engine of growth and as a strategic tool for advancing diplomacy and strengthening the Israeli economy. This visit will be the first in a series of events we are planning to hold in China in 2015 to help foster investments.”

Director-General of the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Economy, Ohad Cohen stated “This is a strategic step. Until a few years ago, the U.S. was the predominant investor in Israeli hi-tech, after which Israeli funds sought to raise capital mainly in European countries or in Asian countries like Singapore or Korea. This delegation is another milestone in the Foreign Trade Administration’s policy of diversifying the geographical scope of exports and investment, epitomized by our allocation of significant resources to expanding activity in developing markets.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)