Dubai UAE: – The International Federation of the Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce (IFIICC), an innovative global organization, was launched in the UAE to broaden relationships between the Indian diaspora and Israel.
Its mission is to foster innovation, commerce, investment, cultural exchange and goodwill between the diasporas of India and Israel around the world. Building on the momentum of the Abraham Accords, the launch was announced in a private event that drew the participation of His Excellency Pavan Kapoor, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Dr Ahmed Abdul Rahman AlBanna, UAE Ambassador to India, and His Excellency Dr Dan Shaham, Head of the Mission of Israel to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). His Excellency Dr Ron Malka, Ambassador of Israel to India, and His Excellency Sanjeev Kumar Singla, Ambassador of India to Israel, attended virtually. During the launch, a discussion on the tripartite opportunities was led by Chairman Mr. Merzi Sodawaterwala and Founding President Mr. Raviv Byron.
His Excellency Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, President of the State of Israel in his letter to IFIICC, wrote: “It is a great honor to send you, friends from Israel, India, and the United Arab Emirates and the Indian diaspora around the world, my personal greetings and best wishes for this important event: the launch of International Federation of the Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce in Dubai. Creating and supporting business links between Israel, India and Gulf States, and with the Indian diaspora across the region, indeed around the world, is an undertaking of great importance. Inshallah, b’ezrat Hashem, Bhagwan Kare, you will succeed in it.”
Merzi Sodawaterwala, Chairman of IFIICC, said: “The opportunities for collaboration between the three nations are immense. The UAE’s business-friendly regulatory framework, the enterprising Indian diaspora and Israel’s innovative start-up culture can jumpstart a model of business creation that can benefit the world. IFIICC provides an international platform to combine the strengths of these nations.”
Scientific research, IT, AgriTech and food security, health care and med tech, and sustainability are areas of natural synergy among the three countries.
His Excellency Dr Ron Malka said that the relations between Israel and India have been growing steadily in the past years. He added: “What started as a basic relationship between a buyer and a seller has evolved into a key strategic partnership. Given that India and the UAE are also key strategic partners, and that Israel and the UAE have just signed the Abraham Accords, the scope of collaboration between the three nations is endless. I am confident that IFIICC will pave the way to a world of business opportunities under the leadership of Merzi and Raviv to harness the full potential of the India-UAE-Israel Trilateral.”
His Excellency Pavan Kapoor, who was the Ambassador of India to Israel from March 2016 to September 2019, said: “In the context of the recent peace accord and India’s excellent relations with both UAE and Israel, the Indian diaspora in the UAE is well placed to harness the potential of business opportunities in all three countries. I am very pleased to be here today and congratulate Merzi and Raviv for the launch of IFIICC in Dubai which is the hub for innovation and technology in this part of the world”.
His Excellency Dr AlBanna said: “I congratulate IFIICC founders Merzi and Raviv for the timely launch of the Federation. Supported by the Abraham Accords, this tripartite organization aims to provide collective leadership and coordinated actions for the business communities in Israel, the UAE and now India.”
His Excellency Sanjeev Kumar Singla said: “I am delighted about the launch of the International Federation of Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce in Dubai. India enjoys a strategic partnership with Israel as well as the UAE. Even though the economies of Israel and the UAE are comparable in sizes, India’s trade with the UAE is almost 12 times the size of its trade with Israel. Now, Israel and the UAE have embarked on a new chapter in their relations, presenting new business opportunities for the three countries that involve innovation.”
His Excellency Dr Shaham, said: “I congratulate Merzi and Raviv, who identified the need for a platform to maximize the benefits of the Abraham Accords to the wider communities of Israel, the UAE and India. I am truly confident that in addition to business, we will see the benefits in areas such as cultural exchange and sustainability initiatives.”
Eminent personalities such as Maestro Zubin Mehta, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Israel’s Trade Commissioner and Director Foreign Trade Administration, Chairman of the Board Israel Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist of Ministry of Economy and Industry, President of Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Israel Export Institute, Manufacturers Association of Israel, UAE Non Resident Indian Business Owners of Aster DM Healthcare Group, Danube Group, Thumbay Group, Skyline International Group, Zulekha Healthcare Group, Arab India Spices Group, Al Maya Group, Puranmal Group and Founder of Indiaspora Forum USA were among the many that endorsed IFIICC.