Dear
Reader,
Greetings and
welcome to the
inaugural issue
of Indo-Israeli
Business. India
and Israel,
both vibrant
democracies,
have redefined
their relations
in the last
few years. Apart
from economic
aspirations,
both countries
share similar
security concerns,
being victims
of terrorism.
Rightly, they
have stepped
up cooperation
in the field
of defence,
though their
bilateral trade
has widened
in scope, ranging
from irrigation
and water management
to productive
agricultural
practices, and
from science
and technology
to launching
of a spy satellite.
For India, where
nearly 70 percent
of its population
depends on agriculture
for its livelihood,
irrigation and
water management
become crucial
for sustaining
and enhancing
productivity.
Israel, a country
tucked in a
dry and arid
region, has
by necessity
pioneered water
management and
developed the
revolutionary
drip irrigation
system, practised
in agriculture
the world over
today. The focus
of the current
issue is on
Israeli capabilities
in water management
and what it
could offer
to India. Orna
Sagiv, Israel's
Consul General
in Mumbai in
an interview
with Indo-Israeli
Business says
that the potential
for bilateral
trade is huge
and economic
cooperation,
especially in
areas involving
advanced technologies,
are of mutual
advantage. Sharing
Ms. Sagiv's
optimism, Israeli
Ambassador to
India Mark Sofer
reiterates that
the agricultural
sector tie-ups
have strengthened
the ties between
the two countries
and a proposed
Free Trade Agreement
has the potential
to treble the
two-way trade
between the
two countries.
Since the establishment
of full diplomatic
relations with
Israel in 1992,
much progress
has been made
in every aspect
of bilateral
trade. The magazine
presents a bird's
eye view in
this regard.
When most countries
were reeling
under the impact
of recession,
Israel could
manage to minimize
the damage to
its economy
through innovative
fiscal measures,
prompting the
International
Monetary Fund
(IMF) to praise
the country's
effective crisis
management.
We carry a write-up.
We also present
an analysis
of how India
has redefined
Its relations
with Israel
in the last
two decades.
The Israeli
economy has
always been
investor-friendly
and conducive
to the growth
of a competitive
business climate.
We carry a detailed
report. Israel,
which depends
largely on oil
imports to meet
its energy needs,
has made remarkable
progress in
developing alternative
sources of energy.
We carry a write-up.
Israel, which
perennially
faces a water
shortage, has
developed innovative
waste water
treatment and
recycling solutions
to meet its
growing needs.
In this context,
we highlight
the remarkable
accomplishment
of Israel in
the field of
desalination
of seawater
to make it potable.
We present a
case study of
Ashkelon plant,
the largest
of its kind
in the world.
Effective use
of water through
micro irrigation
has been Israel's
gift to the
world. India's
Finolex has
been awarded
Israeli honours
for popularizing
micro irrigation
in India. We
carry a report.
In this context,
we also highlight
the achievements
of the Jain
group, which
has emerged
as a one-stop
shop for irrigation
systems. The
magazine presents
a case study
of how a historic
lake is being
preserved against
odds in a Mumbai
suburban setting.
In a success
story, we highlight
the initiative
taken by the
small central
Indian state
of Chhattisgarh
in harnessing
water for irrigation
and power generation.
India has entered
a fast track
with regard
to generation
of wind and
solar energy.
We carry a couple
of write-ups.
We hope the
inaugural issue
of Indo-Israeli
Business fully
meets the information
needs of business
communities
and general
readers from
both countries.
Wish you happy
reading
Satya
Swaroop
Managing
Editor
satya@newmediacomm.biz
