AICC(WA)'s China Business Series Working Lunch

The AICC(WA) Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the ACBC WA, Australia China Business Council WA and supported by Minter Ellison Lawyers proudly presents:

AICC(WA)'s China Business Series

~ stimulating Israel-China-Western Australia trilateral relations

featuring :Matan Vilnai, Israel's Ambassador to China in conversation with, Steve Linde, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post speaking on:

"China's Innovation Acquisitions: Investments into Israel - Policy Consideration and Challenges"

This session will discuss some of the policy considerations and challenges associated with China's rapid investment in and acquisition of Israel's world class innovation industries including: Medical & Life Sciences, Security, Nano-technology, Agric-tech, High-tech sectors. The session will discuss the investment patterns to date and some of the policy challenges associated with foreign investment into sensitive sectors. The working lunch will also discuss Chinese investment patterns into Israel compared to those investment patterns into Australia.

PLUS

first speaker: Ofir Fisher, Co-Founder and VP of OR Movement

speaking on:

"Building the future of Israel "

Ofir Fisher, will present the story of OR Movement - an award winning initiative founded with the vision of bringing lif to Israel's rural areas. "It is in the Negev" Ben-Gurion once said, "that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel will be tested". OR Movement, driven by the nation's founding spirit and the need for lasting change, combines the pursuit of meaningful life with the most promising opportunities for investment, innovation, and economic growth.

Through OR and JNF's intensive efforts to turn Israel's Negev & Galilee regions into an attractive place to live, they hope to increase the population in these regions by 600,000 individuals by 2020.

For the last decade Ofir has overseen numerous projects and innovative initiatives that have gained international recognition for their importance for the future of Israel. OR movement received the Yigal Alon Award for Exemplary Pioneering Activities in 2012 and the Prime Minister of Israel's Award for Innovation and Initiatives in 2010.

THIS AICC(WA) EVENT IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY JNF

Matan Vilnai

Matan Vilnai was born in 1944 in Jerusalem and graduated from the Tel Aviv University with a B.A. in History. He served as an officer in the Israel Defence Force (IDF), attaining the rank of Major-General. He is a fellow at the Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University, Boston and a fellow at Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C.

Matan had a distinguished military career serving in the IDF for 35 years. During the Yom Kippur War, he was commander of a task force in Sinai. In 1976 he was deputy commander of the Entebbe rescue mission. From 1978-1982 he was Chief Paratroop and Infantry Officer. In 1989 he was appointed OC Southern Command. From 1994-1997 Major General Vilnai was Deputy Chief of the General Staff. On retiring from the IDF and until elected to the Knesset he was involved in economic affairs.

Matan Vilnai is a member of the Labor Party. He was elected to the Knesset in 1999 and appointed Minister of Science, Culture and Sport in August 1999. He served as Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Israeli Arab Affairs and has also served on the Foreign Affairs & Defense, Science & Technology, Constitution, Law & Justice, Ethics, and Foreign Workers Committees. In January 2005 he was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and in November 2005, became Minister of Science and Technology. Vilnai was Deputy Minister of Defense 2007-2009 and in January 2011 he was appointed Minister for Home Front Defense.

Vilnai left the Knesset in February 2012 on his appointment as Israel Ambassador to China. He continued to serve as Minister for Home Front Defense until his departure for China in August 2012.