Cleantech conference at MEC

US-Israel Cleantech Conference at the Meadowlands Environment Center

TRENTON - Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells joined Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer, chairman of the NJ-Israel Commission, Yair Shiran, Israeli economic minister to North America, Jerold L. Zaro, chief of the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, Caren S. Franzini, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Kenny Esser, chief energy advisor to Governor Jon S. Corzine, dignitaries and partners from leading Israeli and New Jersey-based alternative and renewable energy companies on Sept. 16. The event was the state’s second US-Israel Cleantech Conference. The group gathered for a daylong symposium held at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst.
“These collaborations are critical, productive measures for addressing the world’s environmental challenges. The broad representation today speaks volumes about our joint commitment to environmentally-sustainable, long-term solutions to our burgeoning energy and development needs,” Governor Corzine said. “Over the last two decades, New Jersey and Israel have forged strong partnerships in commerce, trade, investment, culture, and education. (The) conference expands that robust alliance into the energy arena.”
The symposium was made possible by the New Jersey-Israel Commission, the Government of Israel, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, among others. The conference not only offered attendees the chance to meet and listen to some of the region's most influential cleantech professionals, but provided valuable insight on how to effectively explore business opportunities within one of America’s fastest-growing industry sectors, and with one the state’s leading international trade partners.
Due to its geopolitical location, Israel has long been a trailblazing force in the development of innovative alternatives for renewable energy. In addition to over fifty years of experience in water management and solar energy development, Israel currently ranks second to the United State in the pursuit of new and innovative means for the production of renewable energy.
“This event presents an excellent opportunity not only to increase cooperation and economic development in the critically important clean-tech sector, but to improve the quality of life for all those living in both regions,” Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer noted. “By bringing together these promising Israeli companies with New Jersey, funding organizations, researchers, and state and local officials, we are all sure to benefit.”
New Jersey and Israel have long enjoyed a special economic, scientific, cultural, and educational relationship, establishing a formal Sister State partnership in 1988. The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1989 to foster and enhance this relationship.
Since 1991, New Jersey has exported over $12 billion worth of goods and services to Israel, with more than 700 statewide companies benefiting from the international trade partnership. Moreover, some 72 Israeli companies maintain operations in Garden State, with the relationship generating key partnerships with industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson and Telcordia, in addition to academic collaborations with Princeton University, Rutgers University, and NJIT.
For more information on the work of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, visit the Web site at http://www.nj.gov/state/nj-israel.