Volume 1.2

Maryland/Israel Development Center's Trade eNews - January/February 2003

MIDC/General Interest News

Marylandís Economic Development Secretary Praises
Israeli Innovation, Technology
Maryland Secretary of Business and Economic Development Aris Melissaratos lauded Israeli technology and entrepreneurship at the MIDCís March board meeting and promoted a vision of increased partnership between the two communities. He further stated that in Marylandís current difficult budget situation, the work of public/private partnerships like the MIDC, which promote trade and scientific links, becomes even more significant to the stateís economy.

MIDC Welcomes Israeli Companies to International Biotech Conference
BIO 2003, the worldís largest biotechnology conference and exhibition, is just around the corner. The MIDC has partnered with the State of Maryland, BIRD Foundation, MATIMOP (Israel Industry Center for R&D), and US-Israel Science and Technology Commission to offer Israeli biotechnology companies an exclusive package of services at the Washington, DC event. These include matchmaking events, tours of local biotech companies, personal ìambassadorsî to introduce the Israeli businesspeople to their US counterparts, and special receptions. To find out more about BIO 2003, visit BIO; to find out more about events for the Israeli delegation, contact the MIDC.

Emergency Economic Program Approved
Israelís government has approved an emergency economic package, cutting $11 billion from its budget. The plan, developed by Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu, comes in the face of the worst recession in the countryís history and two years of negative growth. The program, which has met with much criticism, includes wage cuts and dismissals for government workers, cutbacks in welfare and new immigrant funding, an increase in the retirement age to 67, 10% reductions to all ministry budgets (except the Defense Ministry), and cuts to many other programs. In 2002, Israelís GDP dropped 1.1% and unemployment reached 10.3%; in February 2003, the government deficit reached $579 million, the highest 30-day overdraft on record.
Source: Haíaretz

Support Israel ñ Buy Blue and White
Israeli companies need our support now more than ever, and one of the easiest ways to help is to buy Israeli products and services. Check out these websites which offer Israeli merchandise:

www.IsraelExport.org, organized by the Embassy of Israel
www.ShopinIsrael.com
www.OnlyIsraeli.org
www.BuyBlueandWhite.com

Israeli-American Designing
New World Trade Center
Israeli-American architect Daniel Libeskindís design has been chosen for the World Trade Center site. The design was selected after months of debate over more than 400 submissions. The design incorporates a memorial to the terrible events of September 11 as well as the tallest building in the world.
Source: Lower Manhattan Development Corporation

Business and Other News

New Centrino Chip Created in Israel
Intel, the worldís largest chip maker, recently launched its new Centrino chip for notebook computers with a $300 million marketing campaign. Designed at Intelís Haifa facility, the Centrino enables wireless communications, extends battery life, and generally improves mobile performance. The Haifa group has already started work on Intel's next generation wireless chip, code-named ìDothanî.
Source: Israel21C
Maryland Company Helps Brain Cancer Patients
Guilford Pharmaceuticals, of Baltimore, Maryland, recently received approval to expand the use of its brain cancer treatment, the Gliadel Wafer. The product treats malignant gliomas, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer; while not a cure, it slows recurrence of the disease and can extend the life of patients months or even years. Up to eight wafers are implanted into the brain around the site of a removed tumor, releasing chemotherapy drugs over a controlled period of time. MIDC board member Sol Snyder is one of the founders of Guilford.
Source: The Washington Post
Israeli Interactive Theater Coming to Maryland
Tel Aviv-based International Tourist Attractions (ITA) is opening their first permanent interactive theater in the US in Baltimoreís own Inner Harbor. It will feature two interactive films with wrap-around screens, surround sound, special effects like spraying water and smoke, and even moving seats. ITA is working with Baltimoreís Cordish Company on the project.
Source: Maryland Daily Record

Economic News and Statistics

Israelís 2002 jewelry exports rose 22.5% to $400 million, of which US imports accounted for nearly three-fourths. Diamond and jewelry exports amount for over 35% of Israelís total exports. Overall exports to the US are down 2% in 2002. (Globes, MFA)
The Washington, DC metro area, which includes suburban Maryland, ranks first nationally among the best cities for entrepreneurship, based on entrepreneurial activity, small business growth, economic growth and risk.† In the previous survey, Washington ranked fourth. (Entrepreneur magazine, October 2002)
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, is ranked as the best hospital in the US. Johns Hopkins University, also in Baltimore, is ranked 2nd in the nation for research medical schools. It has top five rankings in several specialties, including AIDS, drug/alcohol abuse, geriatrics, womenís health, internal medicine, and pediatrics. (US News & World Report)

Upcoming Events

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

May 2-4, 2003
International Gem and Jewelry Show
Baltimore, MD
The largest exhibition of gems, beads, and jewelry under one roof is coming to Baltimore as part of its US tour. Dealers from around the world welcome both business-to-consumer and business-to-business attendees.
http://www.intergem.com/
May 6-8, 2003
TechNet International 2003
Washington, DC
Sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, TechNet International is one of the largest C4I events in the US. Exhibitors include companies in all fields from Aviation to Systems Management.
http://www.technet2003.org/
May 13-15, 2003
Israelís Bio-Tech Conference
Tel Aviv
Drawing over 4,500 visitors and more than 140 exhibitors, this conference and exhibition connects scientists, entrepreneurs and business people from Israel and beyond to discuss all facets of the biotechnology industry.
http://www.kenes.com/biotech/index.html
June 1-6, 2003
Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics
Baltimore, MD
Now in its 23rd year, this conference gets 250 exhibitors and 7,000 visitors each year. The conference presents important new research in lasers and electro-optics; the exhibition displays the latest product innovations.
http://www.cleoconference.org/splash.cfm
June 10-12, 2003
electronica 2003
Tel Aviv
Devoted to industrial electronics, this conference is attended by approximately 200 exhibitors, representing over 2,000 Israeli and international suppliers.
http://www.elec2003.co.il/main.asp
June 22-25, 2003
BIO 2003 - International Biotech Conference and Exhibition
Washington, DC
Sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the conference is the worldís largest gathering of biotech professionals, expected to draw over 20,000 visitors this year. Israel is sending a delegation of as many as 40 companies.
http://www.bio.org/events/2003/
June 23-26, 2003
17th International Exhibition for Technology Developments
Tel Aviv
This event is Israelís largest and most prestigious technology exhibition, including all forms of tech and hi tech companies.
http://www.israel-trade-fairs.com/2000/technology/index.html
July 1-3, 2003
Security Israel 2003
Tel Aviv
In 2002, 145 exhibitors and 13,500 visitors exhibited at Security Israel, the largest security product exhibition in Israel.
http://www.securityisrael.com/
July 8-11, 2003
Wireless Communications Association International
Washington, DC
Sponsored by the premier trade association for wireless companies, this conference is the worldís largest business conference and exhibition devoted to wireless broadband.
http://www.wcai.com/
September 1-4, 2003
Plasto Ispack
(10th International Exhibition for Plastics, Rubber & Packaging)
Tel Aviv
Over 55,000 visitors are expected at this event, which is dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in the plastics, rubber, and packaging industries.
http://www.plasto-ispack.com/2003/index.html
September 15-18, 2003
Agritech Israel
Tel Aviv
Agritech Israel is regarded as one of the most important agricultural exhibitions in the world. Past exhibitions have drawn as many as 65,000 visitors interested in all facets of agricultural science and industry.
http://www.agritech.org.il/

†