Announces Establishment of Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Published: 09-26-07
Published: 09-26-07

“The example we set in Texas can have international ramifications. Today I am asking the Employees Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System as the keepers of the state’s multibillion dollar investment funds to divest their respective interests from all companies doing business with Iran” Perry said. “While Texas cannot set its own foreign policy we can send a strong message that Texans will not condone Iran’s continued support of those seeking to do harm to our men and women in uniform.”
In addition to Iran’s role in terrorist activities Gov. Perry expressed concerns about that nation’s aggressive posture toward Israel. The Governor has long supported an American foreign policy that recognizes the right of a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East one that consistently advocates for the protection and preservation of democratic states in that part of the world including Israel.
During a recent visit to Israel the Governor and First Lady met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres an event that set in motion the establishment of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
“I want Texas to become the preferred location for Israeli companies doing business in the U.S.” Perry said. “Like Texas Israel has a long history of growing new technology companies through partnerships that include universities government and private investors and entrepreneurs. Strengthening relationships between these two ‘Lone Star States’ will benefit our respective economies and increase understanding.”
Texas is Israel’s third largest American trading partner. Israel’s dedication to fostering new technology has made it second only to the U.S. in the number of start-up companies worldwide.
The commercial relationship between Texas and Israel began with agriculture and natural resources and has in recent years grown to include virtually all other major business sectors including information technology medical technologies aerospace and defense homeland security and energy.
The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce serves to bring companies and industries together and to bridge the geographic and cultural barriers to benefit businesses in Texas and Israel. Through the chamber Texas-based member companies will gain access to not only the Israeli market but also indirectly to other international markets such as European Union countries through trade with Israel.