TEL AVIV – Israeli venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and research scientists are all talking about potential business opportunities and partnerships with New Jersey, Governor Jon S. Corzine told reporters during a conference call today from Tel Aviv.

During the second day of his official visit to Israel, Governor Corzine said meetings have focused on three key areas: economic, cultural, and geopolitical, which includes terrorism and homeland security issues. But thus far, the potential for business opportunities has taken center stage.

“Our most important purpose is to try and create economic connections between New Jersey and Israeli business community, particularly in biotech and clean tech,” said Governor Corzine. “I do believe there is an enormous opportunity. Israel is focused on biotech and alternative energy, and efficiency and conservation measures that are very applicable to New Jersey. That’s where we’ve got a great opportunity.”

Since Sunday, Governor Corzine has met with top Israeli government officials, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres, research scientists and representatives from the Israel venture capital community. Corzine said inevitably, business leaders have been interested in what New Jersey has to offer.

“We are seeing major investment by international companies,” Governor Corzine said, speaking of the New Jersey economy. “A whole series of international companies look quite favorably on New Jersey, because we have a concentration of pharma and biotech companies, we have a very, very well educated workforce, and it is in a marketplace where 70 to 80 million people are in a three hours drive. I think a lot of people look at this market as quite attractive.”

Governor Corzine continues his Israel visit through Thursday, with meetings scheduled at a high-tech center in Tel Aviv, a review of homeland security technology at Ben Gurion Airport, a meeting at a desalinization plant, and a luncheon with Israeli companies with facilities in New Jersey and U.S. companies operating in Israel. He will also participate in a green technology roundtable with representatives from several Israeli corporations Wednesday evening. 

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Photos from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section
on the State of New Jersey web page.