The Jewish Federation of New Mexico held the first Southern New Mexico- Israel Economic Forum in Las Cruces Monday. Samantha Sonner has more on the potential benefits of increasing trade with Israel.
Zachary Benjamin, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico says New Mexico already has a successful trade relationship with Israel.
“Most people are surprised to learn that Israel is actually New Mexico’s second largest trade partner after Mexico,” Benjamin said. “On the Export side we do about $1.1 billion worth of business with Israel every year. Mostly in the technology, agriculture, and agribusiness sector, so fairly robust relationship.”
El Paso City Representative Peter Svarzbein says the border region has a lot in common with Israel.
“Our region and Israel have a lot to learn from each other,” Svarzbein said. “Our climates are very similar, we’re also areas that have challenges with borders, and are defined by borders in a way. So, there is a lot to learn with how to sort of utilize not just the challenges, but utilize the opportunities that we have here.”
Zachary Benjamin says right now the trade relationship focuses on exports like chile, and exchange of ideas.
“When we talk about this trade relationship it’s not only goods, but services as well,” Benjamin said. “And services include academic partnerships, and that sort of thing. So, there is a lot of intellectual property that flows back and forth.”
Benjamin says if entrepreneurs are looking to create a relationship with Israel there are many places to start.
“They definitely should build relationships with both the organizations, scholars with the University that are doing business with Israel here,” Benjamin said. “We have within our state a business incubator, there are a number of business accelerators in relationship that have relationships with business incubator here. So, certainly getting in touch with those entities. New Mexico actually operates an economic development office in Israel.”
Benjamin says the Jewish Federation of New Mexico can also help point businesses in the right direction.
