Business News Monthly Update November 2010

AICC MESSAGE

On Oct. 18-19, I represented AICC at a conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce entitled: The United States and Israel: Building Business Through Innovation. The purpose of the conference was two-fold: to examine trade relations between the U.S. and Israel since the Free Trade Agreement was signed 25 years ago and to launch the U.S. Chamber's U.S.-Israel Business Initiative, its first formal program to advance and strengthen bi-national commercial relations. Some of what I learned was surprising even though we track and report the data in this newsletter. It's not surprising that two-way trade between the U.S. and Israel is ten times greater than it was 25 years ago or that the U.S. comprises most of the investment in Israel directly or as limited partners in Israel funds. I was surprised to learn that 2010 was the biggest year for tourism in the history of Israel and that Israel's wine exports to France increased by 25 % over the last year-both indicators that the world is taking note of Israel's accomplishments. Perhaps more significant are the goals that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hopes to achieve in partnership with business leaders, government officials and chambers like ours that connect to these constituents in our region:

1. Identify the areas for growth
2. Brief policymakers on the U.S.-Israel commercial partnership
3. Host business information exchanges
4. Expose the global business community to market opportunities through U.S. - Israel business collaboration.

The U.S. Trade Representative and Israel's Minister of Industry and Trade met to identify areas to invigorate our trade relationship, focusing on opportunities in agriculture and services and regulatory differences affecting the seamless flow of goods, capital and services. Specific issues to be addressed include conformity assessment of telecommunications equipment as well as current customs procedures and regulations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Initiative has tremendous potential to expand U.S.-Israel commercial relations. I hope that as an organization, AICC will support this important work.

Debbie Buchwald
Executive Director
AICC

AICC NEWS

CLEAN TECH AWARD WINNERS AT AICC CONFERENCE

Israel's CellEra and GreenRoad, both presenters at the upcoming Nov. 9th Greater Philadelphia U.S.-Israel Cleantech Conference, made the Global Cleantech 100 list. The list highlights the most promising private clean technology companies from all around the world in the eyes of the world’s cleantech experts and venture capital firms. The selection was made from a list of over 3,000 companies drawn from 50 countries.

CellEra delivers a clean, efficient, and highly-affordable energy storage & conversion technology, replacing lead-acid batteries and diesel generators. GreenRoad develops a solution to help truck drivers reduce fuel consumption.

REGISTER NOW: Nov. 9th AICC’S U.S.-ISRAEL CLEAN TECH CONFERENCE:
Energy Independence and Enabling Technologies

Find out how alternative and renewable energy sources and efficiency technologies are transforming not just transportation, but every aspect of our lives and meet with Israeli companies with innovative solutions in the cleantech industry. The U.S. Israel Cleantech Conference includes presentations by two expert panels (PJM, PECO, Viridity, Aeroenvironment, NESCAUM, AutoPort, DuPont Ventures, Lockheed Martin, Element Partners and LithChem) AND Israeli Companies whose clean technologies fit your strategic development and investment objectives. Honorary Conference Chair Dr. John Byrne, Distinguished Professor of Energy & Climate Policy, University of Delaware and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient will deliver the keynote address. Seth Vogelman, the Pennsylvania Trade Representative based in Jerusalem will be available after 3:30 p.m. to meet with Pennsylvania companies seeking trade opportunities in Israel The conference provides a rare opportunity to meet representatives from Israeli companies whose enabling technologies will shape the future of energy development and deployment and explore opportunities for US-Israel collaboration.. Area businesses and investors engaged in smart grid, storage, green buildings, biofuels, solar and wind are encouraged to attend. 8::00 am-5:00 p.m. at Top of the Tower in Philadelphia.
Click here to Register

NOV 4th - EMERGING LEADERS DIVISION TO ENJOY AN EVENING OF ISRAELI JAZZ

ELD, the Emerging Leaders Division of the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce, is going to the World Café Live for a happy hour (6:00pm-8:00pm) prior to the performance of Israeli Jazz trombonist, Rafi Malkiel Ensemble. The concert is part of Israeli JazzPhest that runs from October 31- November 5 in Philadelphia. There is no charge for the happy hour; optional tickets for the concert range from $23-35. For more information, contact Evan Segal at 267-671-1177 or evan.segal@citizensbank.com

NOVEMBER 15th - AICC WELCOME RECEPTION FOR ISRAELI COMPANIES & GLOBAL MOBILE BUSINESS INSTITUTE

Join AICC to welcome early-stage Israeli companies participating in the Blank Rome Israel Venture Conference. Hear each company's "elevator pitch" and attend KPMG's presentation: Global Mobility: Tax Issues Faced by Companies with International Professional Teams. One C.P.E.credit is available for those who attend the KPMG presentation. The event is being held at KPMG offices in Philadelphia from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Come early (4:00 pm) to learn about Israel export opportunities from Alan Wielunski Commercial Specialist from the US Embassy Tel Aviv. Sponsored by KPMG.
Click here to Register

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

For more information about business opportunities with Israeli companies, contact, Amos Fabian, Business Development Manager, Israel-America Chamber of Commerce 35 Shaul Hamelech Blvd., Tel Aviv 61333, Phone: 972-3-6952341; Fax: 972-3-6951272; amos@amcham.co.il

For additional business offerings, check out www.amcham.co.il

AICC MEMBER NEWS

MEMBERS ONLY RECEPTION DEC 8th AT MAX BRENNER’S, PHILADELPHIA
Network with fellow AICC members and celebrate the holiday season with an evening of chocolate culture at Max Brenner’s, 1500 Walnut Street, from 5pm-7pm. The reception is free for AICC members. Max Brenner’s was started in Ra'anana Israel 14 years ago to produce gourmet chocolates. There are now 6 Max Brenner stores in Israel, 18 in Australia, 2 in Singapore, 2 in the Philippines and 3 in the U.S.

TEVA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF GENERIC PREVACID SOLUTAB IN THE UNITED STATES
The U.S. FDA has granted approval for Teva to market a generic version of Takeda's Prevacid (lansoprazole) SoluTab. Annual sales of the brand product were approximately $453 million in the United States, based on IMS sales data.

FOX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS’ FULL-TIME MBA PROGRAM RANKED AMONG TOP 50
The Economist recently ranked the Fox School of Business’ Full-time MBA program among the Top 50 nationally in a survey that emphasized business schools’ ability to open new career opportunities for graduates.

WORLD TRADE PA PROGRAM CREATES JOBS RETAINED INCREASES TAX RECEIPTS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
The World Trade PA programs, Center for Trade Development (export assistance) and Center for Direct Investment (international business attraction) resulted in increased export sales and foreign direct investment numbers. Over the past five years, World Trade PA estimates that 28,794 jobs were supported by the program and its estimated tax impact was $191 million total.

THE CLINE GROUP APPOINTS LISA FRAIMOW AS DIRECTOR OF CLIENT RELATIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Fraimow will be responsible for the overall strategy and management of clients, new business as well as heading up The Cline Group’s branding campaign around the holistic approach to marketing development. The Cline Group is a comprehensive strategic marketing and communications firm in Bala Cynwyd.

Thanks to the following members for renewing: Corporate: Ashton Tweed, PREIT, Susquehanna Growth Equity, LECG, Cozen O’Connor, ; Individual:  David Greberman. AICC welcomes new members: ELD-Saul Richter, Individual-Frank LaSaracina, Corporate-PECO and Brandywine Realty Trust.

CALENDAR

Please check the public section of the website for event details and the members section for meetings.

ISRAEL BUSINESS NEWS

ISRAEL’S CARMEL WINERY WINS THE 2010 DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS TROPHY
The winery, Israel's oldest , won the award for its red Rhone varietals in the upper price category. It was one of just 27 wines of 10,983 entries to win an international trophy. England's Decanter is one of two influential wine magazines - the other is Wine Spectator in the United States - that are responsible for global trends.

WARREN BUFFET WANTS TO INVEST MORE IN ISRAEL
Buffet made this announcement in a video interview screened on 12 October at the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Labor social economic conference at Airport City. He believes that Israel has a sustainable advantage in the global competitive market place. Over four years ago Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway made a $4 billion investment to acquire 80% of Israeli company Iscar Ltd.

NEW SURVEY INDICATES LARGE OIL FIELD BURIED UNDER NEGEV SAND
Maybe Moses didn’t pick the only spot in the Middle East without oil! A preliminary geological survey indicates 26 million barrels of recoverable oil—worth $2 billion—may be sitting a mile and a quarter underneath the sandy soil in the Western Negev. Energtek Products has the exclusive license to explore and exploit the resources in the area.

HERLEY'S ISRAEL SUBSIDIARY AWARDED $5 MILLION IN CONTRACTS FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS
Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Herley Industries announced that its General Microwave Israel subsidiary has received contracts valued at more than $5M. GMI Eyal will provide various complex microwave switch assemblies that will be used for ongoing upgrades to a U.S. aircraft. Herley GMIC in Jerusalem will produce phase shifters and integrated microwave assemblies. GMIC Jerusalem and Herley GMIC Eyal are very well established in the industry and are key suppliers for numerous defense programs worldwide. Herley Industries is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of microwave technology solutions for the defense, aerospace and medical industries worldwide.

PARTICLE SCIENCES AND SOLUBEST ENTER INTO TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Particle Sciences Inc. (PSI), a leading pharmaceutical CRO and SoluBest of Israel have entered into a licensing and technology development agreement in which Particle Sciences will be the exclusive contract research provider in the U.S. for SoluBest's Solumer technology. Particle Sciences will offer Solumer formulation and clinical trial supply manufacturing to Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies. The patented Solumer approach uses polymers to help improve drug solubility and bioavailability. SoluBest is a clinical-stage developer of enabling drug delivery technologies.

TOKYO AIM EXCHANGE SEEKS ISRAELI FIRMS
Tokyo AIM is a partnership between the larger Tokyo Stock Exchange and London's AIM. Two representatives of Japan's Tokyo AIM stock exchange recently visited Israel to interest Israeli firms in listing on that exchange.

EIGHT ISRAEL CLEANTECH COMPANIES SELECTED TO THE 2010 GLOBAL CLEANTECH 100 LIST
In this year's list, a total of 8 out of the 100 companies are Israel based or Israel related. The prestigious 2010 Global Cleantech 100 is produced by the Cleantech Group in collaboration with UK based Guardian News & Media. The Israeli companies include:
Aqwise: improved performance for wastewater treatment
Better Place: electric vehicle service provider
BrightSource: Based in the US, solar thermal energy company now building a power plant in California
Cellera: low-cost, platinum-free, stationary fuel cells (Presenting at AICC Clean Tech Conference, November 9th)
Emefcy: Energy production from wastewater treatment
Greenroad Technologies: Provides technology solutions and services to maximize driving safety and efficiency (Presenting at AICC Clean Tech Conference, November 9th)
TaKaDu: Developed "brains" for a smart water grid
Tigo Energy: Power electronics for increased PV efficiency

ISRAELI SOLAR WATER HEATER PRODUCER ENTERS US MARKET
Israel is turning into a leading solar water heater supplier in the United States. M.C.O Industries, a Rehovot-based veteran solar water heater manufacturer and one of Israel's top solar panel producers, signed an exclusive distribution deal with Texas-based solar energy company Sun Freedom. Initially, the solar water heaters will be sold in Texas and later across the United States and Mexico. Currently, M.C.O Industries manufactures some 2,500 solar water heaters a month. The deal will increase their monthly production by an additional 1,500 units, each to be sold for up to $800 in the United States.

DICKINSON COLLEGE IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARAVA INSTITUTE
With the assistance of a major grant from the U.S. State Department, Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is launching a major new partnership with the Arava Institute. The partnership, will focus on water management issues both in the Middle East and in the United States and last over two years.

ISRAEL ECONOMIC STATISTICS

• CPI Rises By 0.3% in September. The annualized rate of inflation is 2.4%.
• Israel's Economy Forecast to Grow By 4% in 2010, 3.8% growth rate in 2011 according to Israel's Central Bank
• Israel’s exports of goods fell 12.5% in August-September, hurt by weaker global economic growth and a weaker dollar relative to the shekel

Select News items courtesy Fortnightly, published by Atid-Edi.

America-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Central Atlantic Region
200 S. Broad Street, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Tel: 215-790-3722
E-mail: aicc@greaterphilachamber.com
Website: www.americaisraelchamber.com