On December 5th, a delegation led by Compass Ventures’ Chairman, Mr. Ronen Dagon, and CEO, Mr. Moshe Kamar, and including former Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Silvan Shalom, visited the Haidian District People’s Government. Mr. Dai Binbin, Mayor of Haidian District People’s Government, Haidian District Government Office Director Mr. Sha Haijiang, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Haidian District Mr. Wang Weili and other leaders warmly received the Compass Ventures team. It is the second time this year that Compass Ventures Group meets with Haidian District leaders including the Party Secretary Mr. Yu Jun and Mayor Mr. Dai Binbin.to promote the establishment of an innovation center, an innovation fund and the promotion of sister cities between Israel and China. During their visit, the Compass Ventures team conducted business meetings with the Beijing Zhongguancun Street Operation Company on the latest progress of the China Israel Innovation Center and additional joint projects.
Mr. Dai Binbin warmly welcomed the Compass Ventures team and the former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Silvan Shalom and commented that China has much to learn from Israel which is well-known for its high-tech industry which has made remarkable contributions to science and technology innovation, artificial intelligence, homeland security, agricultural science and technology, smart city and other technology industries. Mr. Binbin added that Haidian District, is an innovation center for gathering high-quality global innovation resources, and it is also constantly innovating in its institutional mechanisms to maximize the vitality of innovation in the coordinated development of the global economy and strive to become the core area of global technological innovation. Mr. Binbin added: “We welcome your arrival with a positive and accommodating attitude. We hope to take this opportunity to learn and deepen the cooperation in technology innovation with Israel, share the experience of science and technology innovation, and make every effort to achieve more fruitful results in science and technology innovation”.
Former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said he is delighted to visit the Haidian District in Beijing, as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel. During his political career, Mr. Shalom participated many times in the scientific and technological trade cooperation between China and Israel. Mr. Shalom added: “China’s “One Belt, One Road” strategy gives China and Israel a vast space for cooperation and gradually attracts foreign science and technology enterprises to exchange and cooperate with China. I welcome our Chinese friends to visit Israel and strive for joint cooperation between China and Israel in the fields of science and technology as a way to carry out more extensive and in-depth cooperation.”
At the meeting, Compass Ventures and the Beijing Zhongguancun Street Operation and Management Company updated on the progress of creation of the China Israel Innovation Center (CIIC). The Innovation Center of is planned to help Israel’s innovative science and technology enterprises, technology transfer agencies and high-tech talents to showcase, study and exchange in China, and to establish close contacts with Zhongguancun enterprises through technology transfer and technology docking.
At the same time, Dr. Ronen Dagon, Chairman of Compass Ventures Group updated Mr. Dai Binbin, Mayor of Haidian District People’s Government regarding the background and status of the China-Israel Innovation Fund whose key investment areas will focus on artificial intelligence and fintech.
After the meeting, the distinguished guests expressed their recognition for the mutual efforts being done in preparation of the China-Israel Innovation Center which is planned to open its doors at the beginning of 2018. Chief Executive Mr. Dai Binbin said that the China-Israel Innovation Center platform is an important initiative to carry out China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative. As a global innovation center of Beijing with global influence, the Haidian District attaches great importance to international exchanges and especially to Israel’s innovative cooperation and exchange.
Mr. Silvan Shalom Profile:
Mr. Silvan Shalom graduated from Ben Gurion University in Israel with a bachelor’s degree in economics and later obtained a master’s degree in economics and public policy from Tel-Aviv University. Mr. Silvan Shalom is a Former Israeli Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister.