Creating Opportunities between Israel and Gyeonggi Province

○ Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during his visit to the Gyeonggi Provincial Office on Ma...

○ Governor Dong Yeon Kim met with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during his visit to the Gyeonggi Provincial Office on May 19
○ Discussions were held on future cooperation in the exchange of emerging industries, utilizing the Gyeonggi Province-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and other collaboration opportunities

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim has agreed to collaborate with Naftali Bennett, former Israeli Prime Minister, and Yigal Erlich, the Chairman of Yozma Group, to expand economic cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and Israel in the field of economy.

During the meeting with the former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on May 19 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office, Governor Kim stated, "Gyeonggi Province is the center of the Korean industry, with advanced industries such as semiconductors, biotechnology, automobiles, artificial intelligence, and big data, as well as well-developed foundational industries in manufacturing and services. If Israel and Gyeonggi Province collaborate in the fields of emerging and small and medium-sized enterprises, it will create good opportunities."

He further added, "We plan to send young people to overseas universities and companies through the Youth Career Development Program. We hope for collaboration with universities and companies in Israel as well. It would be a great opportunity for young people to learn innovative spirit."

Former Prime Minister Bennett responded, "Gyeonggi Province and Israel share many commonalities in terms of innovation culture and entrepreneurial spirit, and thus can have mutually beneficial cooperation to foster a vibrant ecosystem for emerging startups."

The two individuals discussed various topics including global economic trends, future cooperation in emerging industries, and trade/commerce.

Former Prime Minister Bennett served as the 13th Prime Minister of Israel from June 2021 to July 2022. He has held positions as Minister of Defense, Minister of Education, Minister of Economy, and has a background as a CEO who personally founded an IT startup.

The meeting took place as a result of the proposal made by former Prime Minister Bennett's delegation, who visited Korea for the Asian Leadership Conference keynote speech, to discuss the relationship between Korea and Israel and cooperation opportunities between Gyeonggi Province and Israel with Governor Kim.

The meeting took place as a result of the proposal made by former Prime Minister Bennett's delegation, who visited Korea for the Asian Leadership Conference keynote speech, to discuss the relationship between Korea and Israel and cooperation opportunities between Gyeonggi Province and Israel with Governor Kim.

Yigal Erlich, Chairman of Yozma Group, a global venture capital firm, and Lee Won-jae, Asia Regional Representative of Yozma Group, also participated in the meeting to discuss fostering startups and economic cooperation. Yozma Group, established in 1993 through joint investment by the Israeli government and private sector, has played a significant role in developing the venture capital ecosystem in Israel.

With the upcoming enforcement of the Korea-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in December 2022, following Israel's first FTA with an Asian country, Gyeonggi Province expects increased opportunities for its companies to enter the Israeli market.

Meanwhile, Governor Dong Yeon Kim continues his active global economic diplomacy, as he recently attracted investments totaling 4.3 trillion KRW during his visits to the United States and Japan. He also met with Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, proposing an innovation alliance.