Mangaluru and Israel Forge Stronger Bonds Through Education and Trade
Mangaluru has taken a significant step in strengthening its relationship with Israel. This move combines educational support with ambitious trade discussions. The collaboration focuses on practical benefits for the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada.
Digital Smart Boards Donated to Government Schools
As a first phase of enhanced cooperation, the Israeli government has donated digital smart boards to four government schools in Dakshina Kannada. This initiative received support from Mashav, an Israeli government program. The donation aims to modernize classrooms and improve learning experiences for students.
Orli Weitzman, the Consul General of Israel in Bengaluru, highlighted the importance of this technology. She stated that these digital boards help bridge educational gaps. They enable future generations to stay connected and share common values. Weitzman expressed hope for more such cooperative efforts in the coming years.
Trade Roadmap Dialogue Charts New Pathways
A crucial dialogue titled 'West Coast India to West Asia – Charting a Mangaluru–Israel Trade Roadmap' took place on Thursday. Orli Weitzman and Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta led this discussion. The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) played a key role in organizing the event.
The meeting brought together nearly forty stakeholders from various sectors. Participants included representatives from MRPL, Campco, Nitte Institutions, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Industry leaders from fisheries, food, ice cream, and other fields also joined the conversation.
Focus on Technology Commercialization and Startup Culture
PB Ahmed Mudassar, President of KCCI, described the dialogue as an ice-breaking session. He emphasized that this is just the beginning of a promising partnership. Mudassar pointed out that Israel is globally recognized as the Startup Capital of the World. He sees tremendous opportunities for commercializing Israeli technologies on a large scale within India.
MP Captain Brijesh Chowta echoed these sentiments. He clarified that the Mangaluru-Israel relationship extends beyond education. The dialogue involved in-depth discussions on trade and technology cooperation between the two nations. Chowta noted that Israel excels in cutting-edge technologies and boasts a vibrant startup culture. With India's vast market, there exists immense potential for scaling up Israeli innovations.
As a public representative, Chowta pledged to ensure all necessary government-level support for this partnership. He described the current efforts as a vital first step toward broader collaboration.
Exploring Diverse Fields for Future Cooperation
Orli Weitzman shared her impressions from the visit to Mangaluru. She expressed admiration for the various ecosystems in Bengaluru but found Mangaluru both different and similar. The greenery she observed while traveling from the airport to the city sparked a special interest in the coastal district.
Weitzman highlighted existing cooperation between Israel and Karnataka in multiple fields. These areas include:
- Information Technology and Digital Technology
- Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government Cooperation
- Irrigation and Agricultural Technology
- Cybersecurity
- Defense Sector
She cited the example of a large Israeli delegation comprising thirty companies that attended the Bangalore Tech Summit. This demonstrates the growing engagement between the two regions.
Next Steps and Sector-Specific Discussions
The dialogue set the stage for more focused future interactions. Mudassar revealed that the next phase will involve sector-specific discussions. These talks aim to identify precise areas where Israeli technology can provide effective solutions for Indian needs.
This structured approach ensures that cooperation moves beyond generalities to address concrete challenges and opportunities. The partnership between Mangaluru and Israel appears poised for meaningful growth across education, trade, and technology sectors.
