Israel and Mexico announced a cooperation agreement over the weekend for industrial research and development, The Times of Israel reported today.
Under the deal, Israeli and Mexican companies will receive assistance in funding joint projects in several areas of research and development, including water management, desert agriculture, pharmaceutical and medical devices, electronics and communications.
The agreement was led by Mexico’s CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) and its Israeli counterpart, the Office of the Chief Scientist (via MATIMOP, the Israeli Industry Center for R&D), and was signed by Israeli Ambassador to Mexico Rodica Radian Gordon, and the Israeli Ministry of Economy’s trade attaché to Mexico, Rona Kotler Ben Aroya.
Israel’s foreign ministry quoted officials on the potential benefits of the deal.
Chief Scientist at the Israeli Ministry of Economy Avi Hasson said: “We are delighted with Mexico’s vote of confidence in Israel’s economy, industry and innovation, which have long been global brands. Cooperation agreements such as the one signed with Mexico contribute to the Israeli market by creating new jobs, advancing R&D, technological enterprise and more.”
Rona Kotler Ben Aroya, Trade Attaché to Mexico from the Israeli Ministry of Economy, said: “Mexico is one of the world’s largest manufacturers in a variety of fields, comprising an essential part of the country’s economy. Many of its products are intended for the North American market. In an effort to preserve its global competitiveness, the Mexican government has set a goal of advancing research and development in order to streamline and upgrade the manufacturing processes of local companies by implementing advanced technologies in the manufacturing process. The signing of the industrial R&D agreement between Israel and Mexico will help Israeli companies integrate products and advanced technologies with local manufacturers and realize the potential of this market.”
Once the deal is confirmed, Israeli and Mexican companies will be able “to present joint proposals for parallel funding for R&D projects.”
Earlier this year, Israel was accepted as an observer in the Pacific Alliance, a group of Central and South American countries, including Mexico. The acceptance of Israel into the alliance was expected to “facilitate the advancement of cooperation with its member states.” According to the Times of Israel, “[t]he combined GDP of Pacific Alliance nations is approximately $3 trillion” and if they were a single nation, the Pacific Alliance countries would form the world’s sixth biggest economy.
[Photo: Netafim Mexico / YouTube ]