1. Naor Gilon Ambasciatore Ambasciata d' Israele The Israeli Innovation story 2014

2. Israel @ A Glance 8 millions $291 Billion

3. *Using a periodic average exchange rate ** For available months Criteria20122013 GDP (Current prices in $B)* 257.5 291.5 Real GDP growth rate (% change) 3.4% 3.3% GDP per capita (Current $) 32,565$ $36,226 GDP per capita growth rate (%, constant prices) 1.5% 1.3% Exports (goods & services), $B* (As % of GDP) 93.1 36.2% 95.1 32.6% Imports (goods & services), $B* (As % of GDP) 92.6 36.0% 68.3 31.4% Unemployment rate** 6.9% 6.2% Economic Figures

4. GDP Growth Israel compared to advanced economies, annual rate of change, constant prices Source: CBS, OECD, Eurostat, BEA Since 2004, Israel’s growth rate has exceeded the average growth rate of advanced economies. In 2009, as most of the world experienced a decline in GDP, Israel experienced a 1.2% growth in it’s GDP. All data taken from OECD * Data from respective official source (CBS, OECD (forecast), Eurostat, BEA)

5. 1980-2012: A High-Tech Oriented Industry Source: Central Bureau of Statistics (excluding diamonds)

6. Main Export Destinations As a share of total exports Source: Central Bureau of Statistics

7. Innovation in Israel

8. Did you know Israel is… 1 st in the world for scientific research 1 st in the world for entrepreneurship 1 st in the world for information technology skills 1 st in the world for expenditure on R&D (as % of GDP) 1 st in the world for flexibility and adaptability 2 nd in the world for innovative capacity 2 nd in the world for venture capital 4 th in the world in utility patents per million population Source: World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report

9. In 2012-13, Israeli exits amounted to over $11.98 Billion Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world per capita (4,000 companies with 1,000 introduced to the industry annually) More Israeli patents are registered in the US than Russia, India and China combined Israel has more NASDAQ listed companies than any other country besides the U.S. - more than all of Europe, India, China and Japan combined Israelis are heavy tech users — they spend more time on Facebook than anywhere else in the world Startup Nation by the numbers

10. The cell phone was developed by the Israeli Motorola branch The flash memory data storage device with a USB interface The now standard Firewall and VPN computer security systems The technology for the AOL instant messenger, ICQ, was developed in 1996 Chosen as the solution to internationally stream the 2014 World Cup The world’s largest online poker company sold for 4.9B (June 2014) Developed the first ingestible video camera in the size of a pill The world’s most-used translation software A cross platform, instant messaging, voice-over Internet Protocol application A GPS based geographical social network navigation application Cloud-based web development platform allows users to create web and mobile sites Technologies “MADE IN ISRAEL”

11. Haifa Region Tel Aviv Region Jerusalem Region Southern Region Northern Region R&D Centers In Israel Maps: Wikipedia Over 250 foreign companies have established R&D centers in Israel Over 50,000 people are employed at these R&D centers in Israel

12. 2010 or latest available year Additional Sources: OECD Israel is 1 st in the OECD in expenditure on R&D (research & development) as % of GDP, demonstrating innovation, development and creativity. R&D Expenditure as % of GDP

13. Israel is a global leader in research & innovation Level of innovation Quality of Scientific Research Source: World economic forum, 2011 Israel

14. 14 Entrepreneurship, Israeli style A great deal of,  Inventiveness, creativity, ingenuity  Daring, “can do it” attitude, drive  Knowledge of, comfort in the international arena But less of,  Business acumen  Managerial skills (for larger organizations)  Patience, long horizon

15. Source: IVC Yearbook Birth and death of High-Tech Companies in Israel 2007-2012

16. Concluding remarks To innovate means first and foremost to change, hence to encourage innovation society needs to accept, promote, and bear the consequences of change.

17. Naor Gilon ambassador@roma.mfa.gov.il ambassador@roma.mfa.gov.il Grazie