Miss. Governor Bryant to lead another Israel trade mission

The Mississippi Development Authority announced on Aug. 18 that Governor Phil Bryant will lead a delegation of Mississippi companies on a business development mission to Israel from Nov. 8 to 12.

The trip is designed to connect Mississippi businesses that want to expand trade and create new business relationships with qualified buyers in Israel.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough and Mississippi Manufacturers Association President and CEO Jay Moon also will participate in the trip.

The trip will coincide with the UVID International Conference of Unmanned Vehicles, which will be held Nov. 9 and 10. The conference is a joint venture between AUVSI Israel Chapter and Israel Defense, the leading organizations in the Israeli Unmanned Systems industry. Israel is known as one of the leading countries in the world in the development and operational implementation of autonomous and unmanned systems technologies, and the conference will offer opportunities to forge business relationships and exchange professional knowledge.

“There is a strong trade relationship developing between Mississippi and Israel, and I’m driven to make that bond even stronger,” Gov. Bryant said. “Since my trip to Israel last year, we’ve hosted a very successful business summit here with Israel’s U.S. Ambassador and Consul General of the Southeast.

The Israel Meets Mississippi summit was held in Jackson on April 27 and 28, with Ambassador Ron Dermer and then-Consul General Opher Aviran in attendance. There were over 100 pre-scheduled meetings between Israeli companies and Mississippi entities.

Bryant called the November 2014 trip to Israel “the best opportunity for Mississippi since our relationship with Japan” and noted that deals were already being finalized during that trip.

“Israel is one of the fastest growing and most technologically advanced countries in the world, and Mississippi businesses can benefit from making connections with their enterprises,” Bryant said. “This business development mission to Israel is a cost-effective opportunity for Mississippi businesses interested in developing or expanding trade into Israel to make connections with prospective buyers and generate new investment through international trade.”

Prior to meeting with business members of the state delegation, MDA works with qualified potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners from countries targeted in business development missions. MDA also works with Mississippi firms before, during and after the trip to help them best capitalize on the opportunities realized as a result of participation.

In some cases, the U.S. Small Business Administration-funded Mississippi State Trade Export Promotion program may reimburse eligible businesses up to 50 percent of travel costs, including airfare, lodging and per diem. The program also provides interpretation services at no cost. Additional services include scheduled appointments with qualified prospects covered at 75 percent and free pre-mission market research and business potential assessment.