Volume 1.5

Maryland/Israel Development Center's Trade eNews - September/October 2003

MIDC News

Maryland Governor
Robert Ehrlich

Gubernatorial Mission to Israel
Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. will lead a delegation of Maryland business executives, government officials and community figures on a trade mission to Israel, November 4-9. Organized by the Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC), the event will be the Governorís first official overseas trip.

ìWe are honored that the Governor has chosen Israel as his first gubernatorial overseas visit,î says MIDC Chairman Hanan Sibel. ìThis is an indication of the close business, research, political and social ties shared by Maryland and Israel, and of further opportunities the two sides seek to develop. The mission will provide Maryland an opportunity to grow its economic ties and launch a number of new programs with Israel, especially in the areas of biotechnology and homeland security.î

Among the Maryland businesses participating in the mission are BAE Systems, Boulder Ventures, DynPort, Manugistics, Verizon and 20/20 Gene Systems.

ìIsraelís technology is world-class, the countryís business skills continue to advance, and its people welcome American products and services,î says 20/20 President Jonathan Cohen, himself the former head of the U.S.-Israel Biotechnology Council. ìPlentiful opportunities exist for Maryland companies in Israel.î

Trendlines Establishing Investment Fund
Trendlines Group, the marketing and financial consultancy based in northern Israel which serves as the MIDCís Israeli office, is setting up a $25 million investment fund to be called Trendlines Israel Fund. The fund will invest in Israeli start-ups engaged in data security, information technology and life sciences. Its purpose is to generate economic growth and create jobs in Israel.

"With unemployment running more than 10 percent, government cutbacks and a prolonged recession, there is great demand for financing for young companies that can create jobs," says Alan Weinkrantz, the company's spokesman.

MIDC Client Earns its Keep in Israel
A Baltimore County-based client of the MIDC recently reported export sales of $1.2 million to Israel. Attributing the sales to its participation in the Winter 2002 Israel Security Industry Conference in New York City, for which the company was recruited by the MIDC, the satellite technology developer now calls Israel one of its largest export markets.

Business & Other News

Israeli VCs in NYC
The Israel Hi-Tech and Venture Capital Conference is being held, Tuesday, October 28th, in New York City. The high level event seeks to give US investors the opportunity to meet leading Israeli investment, technology and government figures, and explore Israeli investment opportunities. The conference is being organized by the Israel Venture Association and Association of Electronics and Information Industries. Speakers and participants will include Israelís Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert, and the leadership of Israelís venture capital community. Interested parties should contact the MIDC at info@MarylandIsrael.org.
Open Wide: Opportunity for Maryland Dental Technologies in Israel
The U.S. Commercial Service is offering a program for American dental equipment and service companies. The Access Israel Dental Program, running from October 2003 thru March 2004, offers numerous services to qualified U.S. dental companies, including: a promotional campaign to identity potential Israeli agents and distributors, participation in dental industry trade shows in Tel Aviv, and monthly reports summarizing collected and qualified trade leads. Israel is the United Statesí 13th ranked dental products export market; the countryís total dental market is valued at $500 million. To find out more about the Access Israel Dental Program, contact the MIDC at info@MarylandIsrael.org.

Economic News & Statistics

Baltimore-Washington International Airport supports more than 104,000 jobs, and its impact is growing. This, despite the setback the aviation industry suffered after the September 11 terrorists attacks. The number was released as part of a new study conducted by Martin Associates, an aviation industry research firm located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. According to the report, the passengers and businesses that use the airport account for $5.69 billion in economic activity, most of that in Maryland.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) will cease its money laundering monitoring of Israel. The decision that Israel meets international standards for combating money laundering was made at a recent FATF plenary meeting in Stockholm. The OECD move provides a boost to Israelís position in the global financial community.

Upcoming Events

Follow the links under each listing to find out more
or to register for an event.

October 28-30, 2003
Microtech 2003
Tel Aviv
Microtech is an international conference and exhibition devoted to the electro-optic and microelectronic industries.
http://www.conexpo.co.il/microtech/
December 3-4, 2003
Mid-Atlantic BIO/MED
Baltimore
BIO/MED is a conference and exhibition, for business and research, targeting the biomedical technology industryís opportunities and prospects in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, one of the four strongest regionís in the country.
http://www.biomedexpo.com/
December 9-11, 2003
Aclima 2003
Tel Aviv
Aclima is an international convention for air conditioning, heating, refrigeration and ventilation.
http://www.stier.co.il/SG_ENG/Aclima/main_acl.htm
January 26-29, 2004
COMNET
Washington, DC
COMNET is a chance for buyers and sellers in the communications networking industry to connect with the newest technologies and meet the experts driving the industry.
http://www.comnetexpo.com/
March 2-5, 2004
SATELLITE 2004
Washington, DC
SATELLITE is the largest international conference and exhibition devoted exclusively to the business of global, commercial communications satellites.
http://www.satellite2004.com/
March 2-4, 2004
Medax
Tel Aviv
Medax, sponsored by the Israel Medical Association, brings together professionals and technologies in the medical equipment and pharmaceutical industries.
http://www.stier.co.il/SG_ENG/Medax/welcome_med.htm
April 2-4, 2003
National Nanotechnology Initiative
Washington, DC
The National Nanotechnology Initiative coordinates 17 United States government departments and independent agencies active in supporting the research, development and commercialization of nanotechnologies.
http://www.infocastinc.com/NNI/home.htm

Israeli Office ï Trendlines ï Shorashim ï D.N. Misgav ï 20164 ï ISRAEL
Ph: 972-4-958-3323 ï FX: 972-4-958-3325 ï†postmaster@trendlines.com

†