Green tech at the forefront of talks on US-Israel collaboration

Shai Abad, the Ministry of Finance's director-general, said that the Israeli government was looking forward to "broadening the Israeli horizon" regarding eco-technology.

By MICHELLE MALKA GROSSMAN
Updated: MAY 25, 2016 01:02
Workers walk past solar panels in Jimo, Shandong Province, China (photo credit: REUTERS)
Workers walk past solar panels in Jimo, Shandong Province, China
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Clean tech was front and center when American and Israeli government officials met Monday for the 31st US-Israel Joint Economic Development Group.
Meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, during a panel on climate change and the role of green technologies, Richard Driscoll, from the US Department of State, and officials from Israel’s Economy Ministry and Environmental Protection Ministry, agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a bilateral, clean energy, finance task force.
Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding on Innovation was signed by Avi Hasson, who heads the Economy Ministry’s Innovation Authority and Ken Hyatt from the US Department of Commerce. The MOU could strengthen ties in technology, science and research and development.
Shai Abad, the Ministry of Finance director- general, said that the Israeli government is looking forward to “broadening the Israeli horizon” regarding eco-technology.
Meanwhile, Charles Rivkin, the US assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, said that “Israel and the United States share a deep commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship and clean technology.” He said both Israel and the US showed dedication during the day’s affairs to finding solutions to some of “the most difficult global challenges.”
In April, US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Energy, Infrastructure and Water Resources Minister Yuval Steinitz signed an eight-year agreement that will widen the fields in which Israel and the US will cooperate, including on issues of oil and alternative energy, desalination and water treatment, as well ways to protect water and energy networks from physical and cyber threats.