This agreement comes on the back of a summit between the two ministers which took place in China in August of this year, where they agreed to expand their countries’ partnership. Minister Ariel said that “we are happy with the economic and commercial collaboration between Israel and China. There have been many successes but that is not enough. More needs to be done to expand and deepen the relationship between our countries and the goal of this meeting is to proceed towards further achievements. We will increase the export to Asia and by doing so help our producers and mitigate the damage of the situation in Europe.”
The central items included in the agreement were the following:
- Establishment of a joint commission with representatives from each country which will meet regularly and raise ideas and issues to enhance the cooperation between the countries.
- Promotion of bilateral trade initiatives with the goal of accelerating the rate of agricultural trade between Israel and China up to a target of 450 million dollars by 2020.
- Technological exchanges in the areas of genetic engineering, desert agriculture, plant and livestock treatments, and food safety.
- Establishment of training programs for Israeli producers in China’s agricultural university in Beijing and for Chinese stakeholders with the guidance of the Israeli ministry.
- Funding of joint ventures in the form of agricultural projects in both countries, as well as in the countries’ agricultural developments in Africa.