The Alabama Department of Commerce and the Export Alabama Alliance will host a virtual trade mission to Israel May 10-12 in preparation for an in-person mission to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem later this year.

Alabama companies already exporting to Israel in addition to those looking to get started in this market are welcome to apply, said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. The virtual trade mission is not meant to replace the in-person mission to Israel, but rather to  prepare companies for it.

Participating companies will have the opportunity to meet with potential business partners in one-on-one matchmaking meetings online. The trade mission will be multi-industry.

“At a time when businesses face continued challenges globally and domestically, we are looking to deepen and strengthen ties with our long-term ally, Israel, which is a logical choice for a virtual trade mission,” Canfield said.

The United States is Israel’s largest trading partner, and Israel is the second-largest U.S. trading partner in the Middle East. (contributed)

Growing trade

The United States is Israel’s largest trading partner, and Israel is the second-largest U.S. trading partner in the Middle East. Since signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1985, U.S.-Israel trade has grown sixfold. Nearly all nonagricultural trade tariffs between the U.S. and Israel have been eliminated.

Despite regional geopolitical challenges, Israel has a stable, strong economy. Business between Alabama and Israel continues to be strong as state exports to Israel in 2020 totaled $49 million, an increase of nearly 30% from 2019.

“We have found that virtual events leading up to an in-person trade mission can be very beneficial in that they allow companies to make initial contacts, learn more about the market to be visited and pave the way for a more productive trip,” said Hilda Lockhart, director of the Office of International Trade for the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Key target sectors for U.S. exports to Israel include safety and security, health care, information and communication technologies, and defense.

For more information on the virtual trade mission, contact Beau Lore at the Alabama Department of Commerce, Beau.Lore@commerce.alabama.gov or 334-324-7525.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.