Governor DeSantis’ Business Development Mission to Israel 2019

Location: Tel-Aviv & Jerusalem, Israel

Dates: May 25-31, 2019

 

Overview:

Governor Ron DeSantis will lead a delegation of nearly 90 diverse and accomplished business, political and academic leaders from across Florida on his administration’s first business development mission to Israel. The Governor’s business development mission will provide Florida with a unique opportunity to strengthen the economic bonds between Florida and Israel. During the mission, Governor DeSantis and EFI President & CEO Jamal Sowell will meet with Israeli companies to recruit new high-wage jobs and make Florida the destination for Israeli business investment.

Florida businesses attending the mission will meet with Israeli businesses in an effort to build relationships and create trade opportunities.

The Governor’s business development mission will also feature meetings with Israeli and Florida academic institutions to discuss ways to improve Florida’s environment, develop clean technology and an innovative approach to public safety.

In addition to the business development meetings, the Governor and members of the Florida Cabinet plan to meet at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

 

Business Development Missions:

Governor-led missions are part of a global trade development and business recruitment strategy that involves leaders from business, government and economic development organizations throughout Florida. The missions provide a unique opportunity to promote Florida’s business advantages, assist exporters in meeting clients, and identify and attract foreign direct investment. Governor-led missions target markets where a significant opportunity exists to expand Florida’s economy.

The goal of these missions is two-fold:

1. Missions introduce Florida businesses to global trade opportunities through access to prospective clients and markets.
2. The missions aim to attract job-creating foreign direct investment (FDI) into the state.

 

Facts about Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

• Foreign investment plays a large and expanding role in the state’s economy.
• According to the latest available data, nearly 1,200 international employers have operations in Florida, employing more than 348,000 residents.
• Across the nation, U.S. workers at international companies earn 26 percent higher compensation than the economy-wide average – making $81,200 annually.
• Over the last five years, Florida’s FDI employment has increased 44 percent.

 

Facts about Florida’s International Business Sector:

• In 2018, Florida’s total merchandise trade increased by 4.0 percent to $153.5 billion, greater than the 3.6 percent growth in 2017.
• Merchandise exports (goods shipped from or through the state) grew 4.7 percent to $73.5 billion with double-digit gains seen in leading commodities such as aircraft, engines & parts and motor cars & vehicles.
• Imports increased by 3.3 percent to $80 billion.
• Florida ranked as the eighth-largest export state in 2018 with $57.2 billion in export shipments, an increase of 4.2 percent.

 

Frequently Requested Documents:

• Israel Mission Expense Report
• Itinerary of Governor’s Business Development Mission to Israel
• Ceremonial Meeting of the Governor and Cabinet Agenda
• Participant List
• FAQ

Mission Videos

• Florida Channel coverage

Mission Press Releases

• Governor Ron DeSantis Visits the Old City of Jerusalem and Meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
• Governor Ron DeSantis Leads Roundtable Discussion on School Safety and Security in Jerusalem
• Governor Ron DeSantis Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
• Governor Ron DeSantis Applauds MOU Signing between University of Miami and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Governor Ron DeSantis Leads Historic Ceremonial Meeting with Florida Cabinet Members and Delivers Keynote Address at the Israel-America Business Summit
• Governor Ron DeSantis Leads Historic Ceremonial Meeting with Florida Cabinet Members at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem
• Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Historic Visit to Gush Etzion Region of Israel
• Governor Ron DeSantis Delivers Keynote Address at 2019 Israel-America Business Summit
• Governor Ron DeSantis Meets with Israeli Companies and Delivers Keynote Address at the Israel-America Business Summit
• Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet Meet with U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman
• Governor Ron DeSantis and Secretary Noah Valenstein Lead Roundtable Discussion on Water Challenges in Florida and Israel Technologies
• Governor Ron DeSantis Applauds MOU Signings on Agriculture and Emergency Management
• Governor Ron DeSantis Announces New Research Collaboration Between Florida International University and Tel Aviv University to Test Child Anxiety Disorders
• Governor Ron DeSantis Applauds a Historic Eight MOU Signings Between Tel Aviv University and Six Florida Universities and One College
• Governor Ron DeSantis Meets with Israeli Business Leaders and Leads Historic Memorandum of Understanding Signings
• Governor Ron DeSantis Meets with Leading Israeli Businesses and Universities, Participates in Several MOU Signings During First Day of Historic Business Development Mission to Israel
• Governor Ron DeSantis Signs MOU with Israel Supporting Travel and Tourism
• Governor Ron DeSantis Applauds Historic MOU Agreements Between University of Haifa and Florida Colleges and Universities
• Governor Ron DeSantis Joins Space Florida and Israel Space Agency for Historic Memorandum of Understanding Signing
• Governor Ron DeSantis Applauds Historic Memorandum of Understanding Agreement between Florida Atlantic University and Ariel University
• Governor Ron DeSantis Receives Honorary Fellowship from Ariel University
• Governor DeSantis Meets with Israeli Business Leaders in Tel Aviv
• Governor Ron DeSantis and Delegation Hit the Ground Running in Israel
• Governor Ron DeSantis Outlines Bold Agenda for Upcoming Business Development Mission to Israel