Gov. Bush concludes Israeli trade mission
11/16/99 -- 10:39 AM
LOD, Israel (AP) - Gov. Jeb Bush wrapped up a four-day trade mission to Israel
on Tuesday with a visit to state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries and appealed to the
company to expand its business in Florida. IAI owns the Miami-based Commodore Aviation -
the largest Israeli business presence in Florida with approximately 500 employees. IAI is
looking to expand the Commodore operation and Bush wants it to be in his state.
Bush aides said his meeting with IAI's chairman, Moshe Keret, went well and that
there will be a follow-up in the next few days.
Bush and his delegation of 30 business leaders spent most of the trip pitching
Florida to Israeli hi-tech executives wishing to branch out and find new locations for
their companies.
``We were well received,'' Bush told The Associated Press. ``I think it went
very well. There's a lot of interest in both the aviation side of the economy and the
software, hi-tech side.''
``The basic mission was to increase those ties. I think we accomplished that,''
said Bush, adding that there will be additional trade missions to Israel.
Enterprise Florida, the public-private economic arm, arranged the trip to boost
the existing $318 million trade between Florida and Israel. Throughout the trip, Bush
emphasized the cultural ties that exist between Florida and the Jewish state. About
950,000 Jews live in Florida, a state with a population of 15 million.
Bush is hoping to lure Israeli telecommunications, Internet and defense
companies to Florida. He also told executives they could use south Florida as a
springboard for the Latin America and Caribbean markets.
In addition to meeting with top executives, Bush had talks with Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Barak, members of Israel's parliament and Cabinet members.
It was the governor's second trade mission since taking office in January. In
July, a delegation of 300 went to Mexico.
