Much (if not too much) has been said about the high expectations that followed the announcement of normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – as well as the revival of Israel’s relations with Morocco. ‘Disappointment’ in the supposed slow pace of the Accords’ materialization can be explained by an overestimated anticipated speed of developments, and this seems less relevant now as we look back at the volume of activities this past year.

In March 2023, the first Bahrain-Israel business conference, Connect2Innovate, took place in Manama. Over 600 people attended, the majority from Bahrain’s business community. For many Bahrainis, it was the first time they met Israelis in person. But it is not just the first engagement that is newsworthy: several business deals and partnerships were announced during and following the conference.

Over the last 12 months, visits to Israel by the heads of the Emirati free zones, and more importantly, registration of Israeli companies at ADGM, DIFC, and DMCC, have increased. This shows that Israeli businesses are making good use of the benefits that the free zones offer and are investing in opening offices in the UAE.

Israeli-Moroccan partnerships have also multiplied in ag-tech, energy, water, and more, accompanied by reciprocated investments. While the economic exchange is increasing at a quick and steady pace, there is still much more potential for growth. But we are on a great track.

While all the above is, without a doubt, positive and encouraging, it is not the end of the story. The lens through which the Accords need to be viewed must recognize the foundations that have been laid, the trajectory that the relations have been growing on, and the potential that is being realized. In this context, the Abraham Accords can already be regarded as a success.

Considering the lack of official connections between these countries for over seven decades, accompanied by mistrust and misconceptions, what has been accomplished so far is quite remarkable. The bottom line – deals, mutual investments, and trade – speaks for itself. And this is just the surface. Underneath, real people-to-people connections are being made. Learning each other’s challenges, strengths, and areas for growth – and more importantly how to live with them – are vital steps to cementing ties to form long-term partnerships.

Essentially, we have identified the commonalities and complementarities of each stakeholder. We understand not just what the shared challenges are but have discussed and actually started to implement partnerships that address them. Alongside the development of these new diplomatic relations, we are witnessing some of the most pressing issues of our time: the implications of climate change, which are increasingly felt; coping with a global pandemic; the international effects of regional conflicts, for example how the war in Ukraine impacted food security and migration trends in other counties…

The only way to tackle these and other problems is through collaboration, and for collaboration to succeed it must be based on innovation. The MENA region is both highly vulnerable to global challenges and a growing and expanding innovation hub, making it the natural breeding ground for technological solutions to the issues of our time. Cross-border partnerships are already underway between governments, businesses, and civil society, and these pave the way to creating these solutions. Emirati investments in Israeli ag-tech companies, Israeli water companies piloting in Bahrain, and collaborations between climate tech companies from Morocco and Israel, are just a few examples of how this once unattainable dream is becoming a reality.

The new geopolitical reality is made possible by the active participation of the United States and greater American business engagement in this trilateral partnership is essential for its advancement. Additionally, these new ties to be resilient and long-lasting, and regional partnership needs to expand to more countries. Nations that Israel does not yet have relations with and, no less important, those with whom Israel has had a peace agreement for many years, Egypt and Jordan, are no longer outliers. The Abraham Accords have created the conditions for these countries to expand and deepen their relations with Israel.

As we celebrate the third anniversary of the Abraham Accords, much tangible and meaningful progress has been made. While there is still more to be achieved, we should be proud of the momentum we have generated over the past three years.

Yariv Becher is Vice President of Innovation Diplomacy at Start-Up Nation Central and a former commercial attaché on behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Economy, helping Israeli technology companies penetrate foreign markets.

Article originally published on JNS (Sept. 6, 2023)

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Imagine living in a region where technological innovation was an integral part of our diplomatic exchange, where each nation contributes its own unique strength to our shared endeavors. This isn’t just about exchanging technology; it’s about building regional ecosystems and fostering knowledge economies. In this integrated region, shared technological resources can drive progress toward essential climate goals, such as sustainable agriculture and water management. The innovative ecosystem — startups, investors, academia, mature companies, and governments all have a crucial role to play.

Agricultural and environmental cooperation is a concrete example of how sharing knowledge resources can make a difference. Water scarcity is a pressing concern in the Middle East, but collaborative technology can change that narrative. For example, advanced desalination techniques developed in one country can be adapted and applied in another, while imported energy solutions can power these same desalinization facilities. Or, data analytics for optimizing crop yields can be shared to tackle food security issues collectively. This value is not limited to businesses and governments; utilizing local assets and leveraging unique competitive advantages holds the potential to create real impact and opportunity for the people of the region.

This collaborative approach is increasingly seen in big deals between Israeli startups and organizations across the region. SupPlant, an Israeli ag-tech startup with sensor technology helping farmers adapt to climate change and maximize yields, recently partnered with the UAE’s Mawarid Holding Investment for a water-saving irrigation project targeting date trees. The initiative reduces water usage by at least 20% in the first year while improving the quality of the dates produced.

Another deal propelling regional collaboration is between SolarEdge Technologies, an Israel-based renewable energy company, and Saudi business group Ajlan & Bros Holding, boosting solar power adoption in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture, based in Riyadh, supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil and follows a preliminary cooperation agreement signed last year during U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia. With the current lack of formal diplomatic relations between these nations, the partnership is significant in the broader context of Middle East collaboration.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are challenges that must be navigated to realize this vision fully. Time frames for project execution may differ between nations, and expectations around these may need to be aligned. Nevertheless, these are manageable challenges, and the private sector’s potential to fill the gap where government efforts lag is especially potent in meeting ambitious climate goals.

In the past two years, at events initiated by Start-Up Nation Central, Israeli companies in ag-tech, water, logistics, fintech, and more, met, engaged, and formed partnerships with counterparts in the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain. In a couple of months, Israeli climate tech entrepreneurs and innovators will attend COP28 in Dubai to do the same with Emirati colleagues, among other countries. This business engagement is accompanied by partnerships on an infrastructure level. Knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices in innovation ecosystem building have been taking place in a structured and intentional way to enable the growth of an innovation ecosystem on a regional scale. Representatives from different government agencies participated in workshops held during Connect2Innovate events in Manama and Casablanca, addressing needs and policies that enable the development of a thriving tech industry. Follow-on delegations met to discuss technology transfer, funding programs, and innovation platforms.

The vision of collaborative prosperity is already transforming the Middle East. As the normalization ties forged three years ago mature into collaborative relationships, the exchange of insights, technologies, and expertise can contribute to a more stable and prosperous region than any one nation can achieve alone. Innovation diplomacy and shared technological resources aren’t just feel-good phrases; they are foundational strategies that can enable the region to meet sustainability and climate objectives.

Avi Hasson is the CEO of Start-Up Nation Central, a Tel Aviv-based non-profit organization that promotes Israeli innovation around the world. Hasson previously served as Israel’s chief scientist and the founding chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority and as an investor in many Israeli technology companies.

This article first appeared in USA Today on September 15, 2023

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For an innovation ecosystem to thrive, it is essential for a state or market to not only possess technical know-how and encourage the establishment of startups but to also possess an infrastructure of diverse, but interconnected, components. These include access to funding, strong ties with academia, effective systems for tech transfer to commercialize intellectual property, innovation vehicles such as incubators and accelerators, the presence of multinational corporations, and, crucially, supportive governmental policies that bind everything together. By nurturing and harmonizing these vital elements, an ecosystem can truly flourish and drive sustainable innovation and growth. 

Morocco’s innovation ecosystem has been gradually maturing, driven by dedicated efforts from the government, academia, and private sector. This cooperation is nurturing the infrastructure needed to foster a growing entrepreneurial mindset. The country’s geostrategic position stands at the crossroads of continents. Together with its skilled tech talent (>10,000 fresh engineers every year) and strong R&D capabilities, Morocco provides a fertile ground for entrepreneurship to flourish. 

Recent initiatives such as the new investment charter for developing private investment in the Kingdom, and tax advantages aligned with international best practices, lay foundations to bolster the ecosystem even further. In regard to an entrepreneurial mindset, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2020 (GEM) report highlights a significant increase in entrepreneurial activity in Morocco, with the Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate reaching 18.4% in 2020. Furthermore, according to the Arab Youth Survey 2020, 85% of young Moroccans view entrepreneurship as a favorable career choice, reflecting the burgeoning interest of the younger generation in startups. 

Despite this acceleration, the current landscape in Morocco is often characterized by silos. Each constituent pillar tends to operate independently, with limited interaction and cross-fertilization of ideas. To fully unlock its potential in the years to come, fostering a spirit of collaboration and integration among all stakeholders and assets in Morocco’s innovation ecosystem will be the vital catalyst for continued growth and success. 

Developing synergies between the different pillars is vital for nurturing a dynamic ecosystem. Academia, with its research expertise, can collaborate with startups to transform cutting-edge research into viable products and solutions. The private sector, with its market reach and resources, can provide the necessary support and investment to scale up innovations. Meanwhile, the government can continue playing a pivotal role in creating an enabling environment through supportive policies, regulations, and targeted funding. 

Breaking down the silo mindset requires a collective effort. Encouraging open dialogue, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, and organizing interdisciplinary events, are essential steps toward building stronger connections. Platforms and communities that facilitate the exchange of ideas, expertise, and best practices will be instrumental in fostering cross-pollination within and between different sectors. 

Furthermore, international collaboration plays a crucial role in Morocco’s journey toward an integrated innovation ecosystem. Partnering with other innovation ecosystems, hubs, and international organizations can bring valuable insights and opportunities.  

Following Morocco and Israel signing the Abraham Accords in 2020, we have seen significant advancements in collaboration between our two ecosystems that hold the promise for continued knowledge-sharing opportunities.  

Israel, renowned for its transformation into a knowledge-based economy, has a vibrant innovative ecosystem including more than 7,000 startups, nearly 900 investors, and more than 450 multinational companies. The Startup Nation is also home to an impressive network of academic, business, and technology stakeholders who can offer insight from Israel’s innovation ecosystem-building journey that encompasses both successes and failures.  

Through cooperation and knowledge exchange, both nations can forge lasting partnerships and collectively shape a new era of innovation and prosperity for the people of both nations – which was a core pillar in the signing of the Abraham Accords.  

This article was first published in Morocco World News on August 31, 2023.

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Innovation is what drives us forward as a society. It is how we grow and progress, improve efficiency, and expand knowledge. Every region and country has its own areas of innovative strength, making it imperative to share knowledge if we are to meet our shared, uncertain future. The best way forward is together. 

A recognized leader in the global tech ecosystem, Israel is in a position to share knowledge with other countries or organizations that are facing technology gaps. As a nongovernmental and nonprofit organization, Start-Up Nation Central employs Innovation Diplomacy to leverage Israel’s success in technology for enhanced regional prosperity, stability, and shared success. 

This approach is changing the face of international relations: Innovation Diplomacy fosters ties between countries by utilizing technology and innovation as the catalyst. The aim is to identify and collaborate with countries that face gaps and challenges that Israeli innovation can address, leading to solid, long-lasting relationships based on mutually beneficial business engagements. In this sense, the private sector is providing a foundation for governments and nations to work together towards shared goals.

Applying Israel’s Success Story

In Israel’s early days, the country’s recently arrived inhabitants – many of whom were refugees escaping violence and hatred – had to be creative and self-sufficient due to a severe lack of resources and hostile surroundings. These qualities became ingrained in the nation’s DNA, leading to a strong culture of innovation and R&D and contributing to Israel becoming the Startup Nation.

Access to Israeli innovation technology is a huge potential driver when it comes to normalization; innovation enables the sustainable, long-lasting integration of Israel into the region. Furthermore, it creates a frictionless space for cooperation, which in turn solidifies the foundations of these relationships, ensuring they endure external pressures and periods of political crisis.

Start-Up Nation Central contributes to this ecosystem by facilitating tech and business engagements to address global challenges. The story of Israel’s evolution to an innovation superpower is a model that other countries can emulate – albeit in their own unique way. As Yariv explains, the goal is to share and integrate the lessons learned from Israel’s journey to become a Start-Up Nation as part of the engagement process.

By sharing Israel’s experience and knowledge accumulated as a young, yet successful global tech leader, Innovation Diplomacy provides a potential roadmap for other economies – and may even help them avoid some pitfalls along the way. 

Exchanging Tech and Business Knowledge With Morocco

One example of Innovation Diplomacy in action was the Connect to Innovate conference in May of 2022 when Start-Up Nation Central teamed up with Moroccan firm CPR to explore potential technological solutions to shared challenges. SNC brought more than eighty people, including Israeli startups, investors, and government officials, to Casablanca – each one relevant to one of the four sectors that the Moroccan government identified as part of their long-term strategic growth plan (logistics, energy, water, and agriculture).

At the same time, SNC organized two workshops on site with four Israeli business and innovation leaders for Moroccan counterparts: one on the development of human capital using training modules, and the other focused on innovation ecosystem building. Representatives from Moroccan government agencies took part in these workshops and participated in interactive discussions on the different ‘ingredients’ needed to develop a successful innovation ecosystem.

Following the conference, in November of 2022, a delegation from the University of Mohammad VI visited Israel for four days to accelerate the technological knowledge-sharing between the two nations. Start-Up Nation Central organized the visit which included several talks from expert speakers, workshops on entrepreneurship in academia, and a tech-tour of universities in Israel.

The Time To Focus On Innovation is Right Now

The Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and later Sudan, and mediated by the United States, came into effect on September 15, 2020. These agreements include official recognition of Israel’s sovereignty, as well as the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the countries, and as such have been a major catalyst for Start-Up Nation Central to bring Innovation Diplomacy to the forefront of normalization efforts. 

Following the ratification of the Abraham Accords, Israeli government and business leaders convened with other member countries to identify knowledge and tech-sharing opportunities. SNC is enhancing the potential of these new relationships and is directing a range of activities on building mutually beneficial economic exchange: “Start-Up Nation Central is in a unique position – and we consider this our obligation” says Yariv Becher. 

In order to continue strengthening these ties, Israel isn’t only providing access to its technology and innovation but is also sharing the experience of how it became the Startup Nation. 

Innovation Diplomacy Matters

Since the Abraham Accords, Israel has had the opportunity to offer technological solutions to challenges experienced by countries with whom they previously had less-than-friendly relationships.

Now that there are conversations happening between these countries, and there is a better understanding of shared problems, Israel has a clear path to make positive contributions. SNC shines a spotlight on Israeli innovation that can support addressing challenges. Since the signing of the accords, there has been steady growth in the business relations between member countries. With time and trust, it is safe to say that this growth will only accelerate.

Innovation Diplomacy leverages Israel’s knowledge and experience to foster deeper relationships and integrate more seamlessly into the region while supporting partners’ long-term strategic growth programs. This benefits everyone involved, and the ripple effect benefits the region – and the world – as a whole.

The post Innovation Diplomacy: Bringing Israel’s Startup Nation Story to the World  appeared first on Startup Nation Central.

Aviva Steinberger is the Director of Innovation Diplomacy at Start-Up Nation Central, leveraging the power of innovation to build resilient, long-term regional ties and capitalize on collaborative business potential.

In March, I represented Start-Up Nation Central at N7 Initiative’s Conference on Agriculture, Food, and Water Security in Abu Dhabi. I spent the week there with 70 sector experts and new friends from Muslim countries across the region workshopping practical, actionable projects that address our shared challenges.

While I was there, my colleagues were in Manama, Bahrain, hosting the first bilateral innovation conference with more than 450 Bahrainis, a delegation of Israeli start-ups, and other GCC representatives showcasing innovations in health tech, water tech, fintech, and more. Another colleague of mine, also from Start-Up Nation Central was in Morocco planning a collaboration between Israel and Morocco’s water-tech sectors and discussing human capital exchanges. This is innovation diplomacy in action.

This week I was in Morocco for an exclusive event bringing together women business leaders from across the region for collaborative dialogue around shared, pressing challenges. This snapshot would have sounded like fiction 20 years ago, a pipe dream 10 years ago – impossible even three years ago.

The Abraham Accords set the stage for these opportunities and are arguably the most significant geopolitical event in the Middle East in the past 20 years. Some even call them tectonic.

The accords, a collection of trilateral normalization agreements signed nearly three years ago between the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain with Morocco and Sudan joining shortly thereafter, have created a new normal of collaboration that is changing the dynamics of the region. And at the center of it is Innovation Diplomacy.

The Abraham Accords ushered in an era of peace and prosperity in the Middle East

THE VISION behind the accords was to bring peace and prosperity to the Middle East – and it has done that and more. In a short period of time, we have seen an 82% increase in trade year over year between Israel and Accords countries, free trade agreements signed (with another on the way), exchanges of delegations focused on innovation and tech collaboration, and dozens of MOUs (memorandums of understanding) outlining cross-border academic exchanges.

The Accords have been successful in building resilient relationships because it has been a vehicle for innovation diplomacy, enabling technology to drive solutions to shared challenges in the region and foster collaboration. Israel, the Start-Up Nation, has over 7,300 innovative companies and start-ups. The ecosystem is supported by accelerators, incubators, tech transfer offices, and government regulations and incentives.

Countries in the region are going through a transformation, investing billions of dollars into developing knowledge-based economies and their own entrepreneurial sectors. They acknowledge that the Israeli journey over the last three decades has been remarkable and presents opportunities for real gains in the region’s economy.

Furthermore, the climate tech sector in Israel is growing exponentially. Investments in water, energy, agriculture, and food security have risen consistently even in the face of global macroeconomic conditions, amounting to nearly USD 6 billion in 2022. The impacts of climate change do not follow geographic boundaries, and the MENA region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with sandstorms, flooding, extreme heat, and drought becoming typical and threatening our access to clean water and food.

The Abraham Accords have created a new era of collaboration and innovation in the Middle East, ushering in cooperation and prosperity that was once unimaginable. The normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries has created opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including innovation for climate change solutions. The Start-Up Nation has played a significant role in this process, making it an essential partner for other countries in the region and laying the groundwork for innovation diplomacy.

As the region continues to invest in knowledge-based economies and entrepreneurship, the possibilities for collaboration and growth are endless. The Abraham Accords will continue to shape the future of the Middle East for years to come.

The post Innovation Diplomacy in Action appeared first on Startup Nation Central.

Over the past 10 years, more and more women in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region are starting their own businesses, many in the technology and innovation sectors, and securing their futures. According to the International Finance Corporation, since the tech industry is still relatively new in the Arab world, there is no legacy of it being male-dominated and as a result is open to female entrepreneurship. As a result, one in every three tech firms in the Middle East is led by women, much higher than in Silicon Valley. 

The fifth-annual Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs report shows that more women are starting businesses in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, and Lebanon than ever before. The report found that 87% of Saudi Arabia’s female business owners started companies to raise their financial independence. Entrepreneurship is particularly attractive for women in this region who have grown up with technology and social media. They have ideas and ambitions to start up and grow their companies. 

The catalyst for female entrepreneurship is often tied to societal pressures on women to stay at home, the gender gap, and structural disadvantages in fund-raising and investments.

An additional benefit is that according to the World Bank, female-owned businesses hire more women (25%) than their male counterparts do (22%). Female-owned firms also employ a higher percentage of women in managerial roles, helping women to climb up the ladder, compared to those who are only hired for lower, unskilled positions. To top it off, women-led businesses are hiring more workers in general. In Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, firms run by women are growing their workforces at higher rates than those run by men.

Last week in Marrakesh, we at Start-Up Nation Central, our partner in Morocco, CPR, and with the support of many partners in Morocco, brought together nearly 100 female business leaders from across four continents to forge new collaborations. At the Connect to Innovate event, we explored the role of innovation in empowering women to generate prosperity in the region. The women hailed from Bahrain, Benin, the Central African Republic, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Aviva Steinberger, Director of Innovation Diplomacy at Start-Up Nation Central, addresses attendees at the “Women Connect to Innovate” conference in Morocco on May 4, 2023.

Together, we discussed the shared challenges facing the Middle East and Africa and how they are defined not just by geography, culture, or religion, but also by how these impact women’s access to financial security, education, and the basic infrastructure that enable leadership opportunities. Each female leader represents a network of women in their own countries with whom they can share takeaways in order to expand and share a passion for scripting the future of the region. 

By bringing together prominent women in business, innovation, and technology from the region, we are creating a cohort of women who will help propel our region forward. Inspired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s active role and vision of women’s roles in economic development, Morocco sits at the crossroads of connecting the Middle East and Africa and is therefore a pivotal player in helping to further female entrepreneurship in the region. 

This gathering fostered dialogue and connected female business leaders from across the region. Growing female talent in the workforce is an important goal for Morocco and it is wonderful to convene this impressive group of women. The groundwork for new collaborations has been laid, and we will harness the power of bringing women together to share their stories and journeys to success, and we look forward to seeing it progress.

First published in Morocco World News May 2023

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Bahrain holds significant advantages for investment and business collaboration. It provides an access point to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market for rolling out new ventures and products. The country’s agility has translated to it being a leading force in regional development initiatives. The Kingdom offers several additional benefits to businesses, including its proximity to Saudi Arabia. It has passed supportive legislation and taxation policy in specific areas like financial services to attract investors.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is also currently investing in technology and building a strong digital economy, making it attractive for Israeli startups to seek business partnerships. The government of Bahrain has established various institutions such as Tamkeen, the Economic Development Board, and the Bahrain Development Bank, to support and nurture the private sector, startups, and companies in growth stages. This is part of Bahrain’s effort to diversify the economy, chiefly by integrating innovation and technology. These efforts are making a substantial impact. For example, Bahrain has reduced the proportion of oil and gas in its GNP from 40% to less than 20%.

Bahrain’s growing investment in innovation is working to create a fertile environment for startups to grow, while its strategic location and business-friendly policies are attracting foreign investments. What is left is infusing the ties between the two countries substance in the form of deal flow.

Israeli tech ecosystem stakeholders have started to note Bahrain’s immense potential, and numerous joint initiatives are currently underway, forging deeper relationships based on knowledge-sharing and innovation. Recently, Israel and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in technology, research, and development, in much-needed sectors such as healthcare, renewable energy, and water management – and this partnership is already bearing fruit.

Bahrain, like other Gulf countries or Morocco, has long-term national development plans with precise objectives. As a result, it is possible to accurately identify technology needs and understand how Israeli innovation can support or address these. Responding to regional sustainable development goals, Israeli innovation business leaders recognize the strategic value of this relationship and are focused on expanding their business partnership with Bahrain.

Building a sustainable and lasting business relationship between Israel and Bahrain is a priority for Start-Up Nation Central. Our team is working with Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to design an ecosystem development strategy tailored to Bahrain’s local sphere of innovation. This project will propel Bahrain towards a knowledge economy – which is currently a national-level priority – and offer human capital solutions to Israel’s hi-tech sector.

Further advancing these initiatives and strengthening ties between the two countries, Start-Up Nation Central with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain (MOIC), Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), the Embassy of Bahrain in Israel, and the Embassy of Israel in the Kingdom of Bahrain, will jointly hold the Connect2Innovate Conference in Manama this month. The event will bring together governments, corporations, and investors, alongside Israeli innovation ecosystem leaders, to focus on challenges across fintech, logistics and supply chain, water, energy, and climate.

The potential benefits of the ongoing partnership are significant for both countries. Bahrain’s advanced laboratories, business accelerators, and educational opportunities have made the Kingdom an ideal place for Israeli startups to find viable partners, especially in sectors where Israeli technological innovation has a competitive advantage, such as health, climate, and agrifood. Bahrain is an ideal place for Israeli companies to set up regional research and development hubs with low operating costs and significant labor subsidies – supplying an additional solution to combat the tech employment shortage in Israel.

Bahrain’s investment in innovation and its focus on developing a knowledge-based economy has created an ideal environment for startups and businesses to grow, and on the flip side, Israel’s strengths in technology and innovation can further fuel Bahrain’s progress towards a diversified and thriving economy.

The partnership between our two countries has the potential to bring significant benefits to both – and the continued engagement we are fostering will cement the connections needed for long-term relationships with a clear focus on innovation and technology.

Nave Shachar is the GCC & MENA Innovation Diplomacy Director at Start-Up Nation Central. A Middle East specialist with nearly a decade of experience in strategic business development and policy work with government agencies for Fortune 500 companies and large businesses in the region.

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This week, more than 500 Bahraini and Israeli business leaders attended the opening ceremony of “Connect2Innovate,” focused on bringing together the business communities of both countries. Ambassador Steve Bondy, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain addressed the crowd at the opening ceremony reiterating his support for two the US’ allies growing relationship. The event was co-hosted by our organization, Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, its Economic Development Board, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Embassy in Israel, and Israel’s Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain brought together corporations and startups in energy and climate, logistics and supply chains, water, and fintech sectors. In parallel, there were policy workshops sharing best practices and exchanging knowledge around innovation ecosystem building and tech human capital development.

The similarities between our two countries are numerous and complementary. While Israel’s population is five times the size of Bahrain, both are still quite small. And although Israel is not an island like Bahrain, it is an “economic island” due to its geopolitical situation. Although Israel has only recently found large deposits of natural resources, mainly offshore natural gas, while Bahrain has been a natural resources powerhouse for years, both understand that technology and innovation are the future.

Israel discovered large deposits of natural gas only around a decade ago. This lack of natural resources, among other factors, has pushed Israel to develop its technological capabilities. Bahrain, on the other hand, was one of the first countries in the gulf to find natural gas and capitalize on it. Being the first to make use of its resources also made Bahrain one of the first countries to understand that these resources will one day run out and that Bahrain needs to diversify and invest in the economy. Bahrain has been successful in reducing the share of non-renewable energy in its GDP to less than 20% and even more successful in creating hubs of innovation and technology, making it a leading center for fintech activity as just one example.

While Israel has traveled further down the road toward a knowledge-based economy, both countries are heading in the same direction. This synergy creates significant opportunities to work together, share best practices and exchange knowledge. The establishment of official ties between Israel and Bahrain in September 2020 opened a new era for such collaboration and over the past two and a half years this normalization has expanded, providing a foundation for potential partnerships.

The relationship between Israel and Bahrain has evolved from the exploration stage and now we are ready to take-off. Connect2Innovate is not an end or a singular event, it is the beginning of a new phase in Israel and Bahrain’s continued journey together toward a shared future built on innovation and technology. The power of change is in our hands – it is up to us to keep moving forward.

Yariv Becher is Vice President of Innovation Diplomacy at Start-Up Nation Central and a former commercial attaché on behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Economy, helping Israeli technology companies penetrate foreign markets.

*Article first printed in USA Today, March 22, 2023

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The “Connect2Innovate” conference in Manama, Bahrain is a first-of-its-kind event taking place between March 13-15. The event will bring together government officials, major companies, international organizations, business communities, and tech innovators, to focus on challenges across fintech, logistics and supply changes, water, energy and climate.

The event will also include a unique policy track, including workshops on tech ecosystem building and human capital development, challenges that both countries face and can share knowledge and best practices.

Start-Up Nation Central is bringing a delegation of more than 50 Israelis including senior government officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, and investors, to Bahrain.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro affirmed that the conference will bring together visionary speakers from business sectors in Bahrain and Israel, to explore the opportunities and challenges in the fields of innovation and technology.

He said: “this event is a unique opportunity for both Bahrain and Israel to come together and share their experiences, best practices, and work towards developing innovative solutions that will drive progress and growth in the industry.”

The Minister added, “The potential for collaboration between our nations is vast, and this conference will serve as a platform to harness this human capital and develop new technologies, business models and economic opportunities.”

Ambassador Eitan Na’eh, Ambassador of Israel to the Kingdom of Bahrain said, “The Connect2Innovate conference is taking place in Manama as both Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain are moving forward to realize the vision of the Abraham Accords and the opportunities it offers us all as it strives to reach its fullest potential. Taking the Accords from a vision to reality, relations between our two countries are moving forward as we harness both countries’ added values- our human capital, mutual quest for peace, security and prosperity through innovation, economic cooperation, and progress.

The conference will allow our business communities to explore ways to cooperate moving forward and together, by creating a model whereby close friendly relations plus cooperation in innovation equals opportunities for growth and prosperity. We invite others to join us on this journey. Let us innovate! I wish us all success in this endeavor.”

Start-Up Nation Central CEO Avi Hasson said, “Over the past two decades, Bahrain has emerged as an important player on the international stage, with a growing economy that offers exciting investment opportunities.”

Hasson added that “Innovation and technology are essential elements in this partnership and can help translate the agreements into practical bilateral trade that can revolutionize the entire region as it tried to align to new development goals.”

During the conference’s opening ceremony, a live signing of a series of MOUs between Israeli and Bahraini entities will take place to pave the way for a surge of B2B and G2G activities – particularly in the fields of fintech, manufacturing, logistics, water, energy and climate.

The second and third days of the conference include professional workshops, lectures, business panels, pitch sessions and roundtable discussions around separate business and policy tracks.

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This changed in June 2019 when the White House held the Peace to Prosperity Workshop in Bahrain and launched what would ultimately become the economic portion of the administration’s Middle East Plan. Fast-forward to, Sunday December 4th, 2022, two and a half years later, when Israel’s President visited the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time and after decades of failed attempts, normalization across the region is underway. It was a historic moment in the Israel-Bahrain relationship, and I was honored to be invited to participate with President Isaac Herzog’s delegation. 

Bahrain’s economy is growing rapidly and presents significant opportunities for Israeli companies. From the moment we landed, we were greeted warmly. Our first meeting was with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama. One of the most moving moments from our visit was when we arrived at the palace and the Bahrain Police band played the Hatikvah, our national anthem. It was a moment that I will never forget: our President, his wife, the King of Bahrain and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince and prime minister, standing together as Hatikvah was played. While this is not the first time that Hatikvah has been played at the palace, it was the first time a president of the State of Israel visited the Kingdom. 

Meeting at the palace, President Herzog presented the King with a silver mezuzah (a parchment inscribed with religious texts and affixed in a case to the doorpost). The design of the mezuzah was inspired by Torah scroll crowns, symbolizing God’s coronation as king and is traditionally given as a symbol of goodwill. During the meeting, the two discussed common interest and shared economic opportunities. Throughout the trip, the contingency met with business leaders and Bahrain’s Economic Development Board to discuss potential collaboration. The excitement was palpable with business leaders from both countries recognizing the immense potential for both of our economies and for the entire region. Furthermore, Bahrain’s close economic relationship with Saudi Arabia. For Israeli companies looking to open an office in Bahrain, it serves as an entry to the Saudi Arabian market. 

At Start-Up Nation Central we serve as a bridge between business communities and believe that innovation and economic collaboration propels deeper regional partnerships. Our team has been working closely with H.E. Khaled Al Jalahma, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the State of Israel, on several initiatives. Just a few months back, we introduced 15 leading Israeli start-ups to significant business opportunities in Bahrain, including the potential for Israeli companies to set up regional R&D hubs in Bahrain. Bahrain offers low operating costs as well as significant labor subsidies that can benefit Israeli start-ups and provide a response to tech employment shortages in Israel. In return, Israeli startups provide technological advancements to Bahrain, positively impacting the economy and creating much- needed jobs. SNC continues to work on a range of programs with Bahrain connecting our tech ecosystems to generate opportunities for our countries and our region more broadly. 

Departing Bahrain this morning, I recalled the Peace to Prosperity Workshop held in Bahrain two and a half years back and reflected on how far our nations have come. The conference took place 15 months before the signing of the Abraham Accords and since then we have benefited from fruitful collaboration – and we are still just at the beginning of our journey. As we integrate our ecosystems, our nations will forge a long-term relationship of mutual benefit. 

Watching our President and the King of Bahrain talk about areas of mutual I was struck by the leaders’ camaraderie and am leaving Bahrain excited about the shared future that awaits us. 

This article was originally published in USA Today.

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