Raimondo to lead Dem. governors on economic-development and policy mission to Israel

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo is scheduled to lead a group of Democratic governors on an economic-development and policy mission to Israel next week, the Governor’s Office announced Thursday.

The intended purpose of the mission is to strengthen states’ relationships with Israel, as well as to build partnerships with the Israeli business community.

R.I. Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor will accompany the governor for economic-development meetings focused on life sciences, biomanufacturing and cybersecurity, including tours of the IBM Alpha Zone Accelerator, the IBM Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and a meeting with professor Daniel Chamovitz,the president of Ben-Gurion University, to explore potential partnerships with Rhode Island.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with businesses and nonprofits in Israel as well, including Tsofen, an organization focused on high-tech industry growth in Israel, and a meeting with Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, a group focused on bringing together Israeli and Palestinian business leaders committed to using technology for social change.

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The delegation is also scheduled to visit the Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem, a bilingual school for Israili Jews and Arabs, as well as meet with U.S. Ambassador to Isreal Daniel Shaprio and Israli President Reuven Rivlen.

The trip will take place from Nov.17-22.

Travel expenses for Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit will be funded by the Center for Innovative Policy while Pryor’s travel expenses will be funded by the Rhode Island Commodores.