Joint Statement by Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Orit Farkash Hacohen and Canadian Minister of International Trade Mary Ng

Building on existing collaboration between our dynamic business and innovation ecosystems, we are announcing a refreshed Canada-Israel science, technology and innovation partnership. Through this partnership, we will actively engage key public, business and academic leaders in both countries to enable greater commercialization opportunities for innovations co-developed between entrepreneurs and research institutions in both countries.

We have agreed to swiftly complete discussions on a new approach that updates our 2006 bilateral Industrial Research and Development Agreement, and deliver commercially meaningful co-innovation partnerships between our respective small and medium-sized businesses. Once completed, Canada and Israel will triple annual investment through our new partnership to support business-led research and technology innovations. It will also support the continued growth and success of our respective entrepreneurs and help generate and grow start-up companies in strategic sectors.

We are also pleased to announce the launch of a call for proposals under the Eureka platform to enable Canadian and Israeli SMEs to jointly develop and commercialize new products in several sectors including clean technologies, health, quantum computing, digital technologies, cybersecurity and agriculture.

The progress we are announcing today builds on the strength of Canada and Israel’s longstanding friendship and extensive ongoing collaboration between our innovation ecosystems.