Israel eyes collaboration with auto industry in state

After seeking trade collaboration in the dairy and water sector with the Gujarat government, the Israeli government and trade bodies are looking at the growing auto and auto components sector in the state.

"The auto industry is growing in Gujarat. Hence, Israel is keen to explore opportunities with auto and auto components industry. Which is why, next year Israel will bring an auto delegation to Gujarat," said Orna Sagiv, consul general, Israel.

With auto components exports worth $500 million (Rs 2400 crore approx.), Israel has its expertise in navigation, dye casting and security system in the auto industry. Apart from auto components, Israel is also exploring bilateral trade with Gujarat in agricultural technology. "We are talking about agri-tech in bilateral trade with Gujarat as we see a lot of potential here," said Sagiv.

Recently, Sagiv led a delegation of eight Israeli companies in the water sector for a industry seminar in Ahmedabad. “We want to build collaboration with the Gujarat government in the water sector. Through the seminar we met government officials and representatives of industry bodies like GCCI and ASSOCHAM. Possibilities of joint ventures in water sector are being explored in Gujarat. The Gujarat government wants to solve the water usage issue through such collaboration," she said.

According to Sagiv, such a collaboration will utilise Israeli technology for upgrading Gujarat's water resources. Israel is looking at areas like desalination, recycle, management, water valves and water pumps for the collaboration.

Talking about Israel's expertise in water resources, Sagiv said that the country re-cycles and re-uses 80 per cent of its water. What's more, Israel is also set to host an international conference on water and renewable energy which will see a business delegation led by GCCI from Gujarat visiting the West Asian country. Meanwhile, Sagiv stated that the bilateral trade between the countries of Israel and India has grown from $ 200 million (Rs 950 crore approx.) in 1992 to $ 5 billion (Rs 24000 crore approx.) in 2010.