About Us
On a daily basis, the Trade & Economic Office at the Embassy of Israel assist with enquiries from organisations and businesses who are looking to expand their activities and increase trade relations between the two countries. We organise a number of events, across a range of different sectors with the aim of promoting and facilitating business opportunities between Israel and the UK, as well as assembling trade delegations both to and from Israel.
The Trade & Economic Office in London facilitates and coordinates meetings between UK and Israeli companies at national and international exhibitions across a range of sectors. We are also pleased to be able to offer newsletters regarding the latest developments within Israel. In addition to providing separate general updates from both Israel and the UK respectively, we also offer the latest business opportunities from Israel.
Noah Shani – Trade & Economic Attaché
Noah Shani has been the Minister for Trade & Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Israel in London since September 2010 and is responsible for developing and promoting trade and economic activities between Israel, the UK & Ireland.
Noah is a long serving civil servant who started his career as Director of Control at Israel’s State Controller’s Office. He then joined the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour as a cadet.
His postings within the Ministry have included the following:
Senior Assistant to the Minister.
- Head of Consumer Products Division – in charge of sector policy investment and exports.
- Head of the Centre for Business Promotion – attracting foreign investors to Israel and creating international collaborations with foreign industries and establishments.
- Head of Economic and Planning – responsible for analysing and planning the Ministry’s policy as well as current economic trends.
- Minister for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Israel in Tokyo.
- Auditor General for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour.
Noah is a graduate of the Ministry of Industry Trade and Labour’s Economic and Commercial Representative Diplomatic Course. His academic background includes:
- Graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a BA (Hons) Economics and Political Science.
- MA in Political Science from the University of Haifa graduated with Distinction.
- Completed with distinction the academic programme of the prestigious National Security College (IDF).
Noah served in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) for three years.
He is married and has three children.
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Our Key Sectors
Whilst the Trade & Economic Office are pleased to assist in all areas of trade between the UK and Israel, our priority sectors are identified as follows:
High Tech
Over the past two decades, Israel has become world renowned for its innovation, and together with a highly-educated, skilled workforce it is now rated a high-tech centre second only to Silicon Valley in California. Many of the top multinational corporations have already recognised Israel’s capabilities by establishing subsidiaries and research and development centres.
Activities: Facilitate meetings between UK and Israeli businesses at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and IBC, sending technology journalists to Israel. Ongoing events in the UK promoting Israeli high tech. Promotion of Israeli events such as HTIA Conference (High Tech Industry Association), Jerusalem, May.
Clean Technology
Since its foundation in 1948, Israel has placed great emphasis on conserving energy wherever possible, developing innovative, alternative and sustainable solutions to combat the nation’s lack of natural resources. The Israeli sustainable energy industry is today considered a global pioneer thanks to breakthrough technological innovations in the fields of solar and geothermal, as well as bio-mass, wind and wave energy.
Activities: Promotion of delegations to and from the UK, promotion of Israeli Events such as Eliat Eilot. Ongoing assistance provided to Israeli clean-tech businesses entering the UK market.
Water
The Israeli water industry is today recognised as a global leader in the water arena thanks to breakthrough technological innovations in areas such as desalination, drip irrigation and water security. Remarkably, Israel’s total water consumption has remained nearly the same since 1964, in spite of a growing population and agriculture. This feat has been enabled through improved efficiency and technological innovation. In fact, Israel reclaims almost 75% of its reused effluents in agriculture.
Israel’s expertise in areas such as water security, water management and leak detection and prevention are of increasing relevance to the UK industry. Recently there have been numerous examples of Israeli and British companies working together to provide clean, safe water to the UK.
Activities: Assembling a delegation to Watec 2011 (November, Tel Aviv), in addition to general promotion of the event. Ongoing delegations into and out of the UK.
Life Sciences
The pace of innovation, development and growth within Israel’s Life Sciences sector is unparalleled and represents one of the country’s most impressive opportunities for economic and industrial expansion. Built on a foundation of academic excellence, a highly skilled workforce, entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge technological innovation, Israel has rapidly evolved into a recognized world leader for breakthroughs in medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Israel is considered to be the second largest supplier of medical device solutions worldwide and is at the leading edge of innovation and creativity in all fields of medicine.
Activities: Facilitate meetings between UK and Israeli businesses at Medica. Promotion of Israeli events such as BioMed. Ongoing events in the UK promoting Israeli Life Science.
Homeland Security
As a top national priority, Homeland Security in Israel is more than just an exportable commodity. Israel’s self-reliance has created a diversified and cutting edge security industry, adding innovation to existing technologies as well as developing new ones. Israel today has earned its worldwide reputation for providing leading security solutions and continues to successfully partner with key world players to protect airports, seaports, government offices, financial institutions, recreational centres, international events and more.
Activities: Organising delegations to the Paris Air Show and to ISDEF. Ongoing activities to assist two way dialogue and interactions.
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Food and Drink
Once known exclusively for its fresh citrus produce and processed citrus products, Israel is now renowned for its vibrant, fast-growing food and beverage industry. European, Middle Eastern and North African cuisines blend to create a diverse array of original Mediterranean-style foods, most of which are kosher certified. Israel’s dynamic food and beverage industry produces gourmet foods, high quality ingredients, and a rich ethnic cuisine. In addition to Israel’s signature produce, the country has also earned a reputation for producing innovative and quality ‘free-from’ and health conscious foods as well as a celebrated collection of fine gourmet wines.
Activities: Facilitate meetings between UK and Israeli businesses at the international conferences SIAL and Anuga (each take place on a Biannual basis). Ongoing activities to assist Israeli businesses promote their products e.g. wine tastings etc.