Business Guide | Israel-India 2022

T he Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with Embassy of Israel in India, organized a country session on Israel at the end of 2021 . Ambassador of Israel to India, Hon’bleNaor Gilon, alongwith the Senior Officials fromGovernment of India includingMr. Amit Agrawal, Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and business leaders from India and Israel participated in the session. Business leaders fromcompanies connectedwith India- Israel business & trade also participated, among them Mr. Salil Singhal, Chairperson, Emeritus, PI Industries; Ms Anat Bernstein, Chairperson, Israel-India Chamber of Commerce; Mr RohtashMal, Chairperson, EM 3 Agriservice Pvt, Ltd., Mr Sushil Choudhary, Founder andCEO, Picture Time DigiPlex Pvt .Ltd.; Mr Eran Meller, Co-Founder & Chairman Eccopia; Mr Guy Itzkovitch, then Senior Key AccountManager SCREngineeringalongwithMsNatasha Zangin, Headof Economic&CommercialMission, Embassy of Israel. Highlights of the Discussions ●● The Indi an economy is a prime destination for Israel for exports or imports, with its 1.3 billion consumers led by 300 million strongmiddle-class population; however the current trade volume of 4 Billion USD is below potential. ●● The Central Government along with the Governments of the States have created a robust ecosystem for Start-ups to support innovation and new technologies. Israel with its Start-up culture can be a natural partner for cooperation between the two countries. Detailed Takeaways ●● Israel is theepitomeof start-ups and innovative solutions, high-tech technology and entrepreneurship. From the year 2000 , more than 300 Israeli companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in India. ●● India being the young start-up nation has potential and opportunities and it has come a long way. Due to COVID 19 , interactions over the digital platform have encouraged Israeli companies to look beyond metros and reach out to the partners in other parts of India. ●● Israel has developed an INNIS-India-Israel mentorship programme, inwhich they advise Israeli companies on how to enter the Indianmarket. Disruptions in the supply chain due toCovid- 19 have given opportunities to Israeli companies to look for manufacturing partners in India. Course of Action for CII ●● High-tech industries are among the 25 sectors that are short-listed in the Make in India campaign. Israel can select one of the industrial corridors for developing an Israel enclave that would specialize in high-tech manufacturing for the Indian and overseas markets. ●● Healthcare - Supporting joint research anddevelopment projects in the cutting-edge areas, including ‘Big Data Analytics in Health Care. ●● Establishing a "Strategic Partnership in Water and Agriculture” focussing on water conservation, waste-water treatment and its reuse for agriculture, desalination, water utility reforms, and the cleaning of the Ganges and other rivers. ●● Joint development of defence products, including transfer of technology from Israel, with a special emphasis on the 'Make in India' initiative. ●● Indian Corporates and VCs should consider investing in Israeli companies to help develop India specific technologies / products. Promoting India-Israel Economic Cooperation Beyond COVID 19 Paving the Way for a More Fruitful Partnership 2022 < Business Guide < Israel-India Business Promotion < General Information < 25