Gov. Jim Doyle today signed a bilateral collaborative trade agreement between Israel and Wisconsin on research and development.

The agreement, signed by Doyle and Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Ben-Eliezer, promotes collaboration and a strong working relationship between Wisconsin and Israel in research and development, Doyle said.

"Wisconsin and Israel share a strong past and a bright future in research and technology development," Doyle said. "This agreement creates an important framework for Israel's and Wisconsin's scientists, engineers and researchers to embark on ground-breaking research and development in many promising fields, especially water technology."

"Israel and Wisconsin have a strong history of working together," Ben-Eliezer said. "We believe that there is still an outstanding potential to enhance our collaboration."

The bilateral cooperative agreement commits to investing in research and development and sharing innovative ideas.

Successful partnerships through Badger Meter and Miltel, among many other companies, have made Wisconsin and Israel strong trade partners, Doyle said.

The agreement builds on partnerships and commits to future collaboration, Doyle said. The agreement commits to investing in partnerships in research and development (R&D) in Wisconsin and Israel's private businesses. The agreement names several areas for collaboration including:

• Promoting private sector activities to intensify bilateral industrial R&D cooperation.


• Identifying opportunities for partnerships beyond Israel and Wisconsin that could advance their research and development efforts.


• Coordinating government resources to promote R&D opportunities.


• Establishing a framework to financially support joint R&D projects that could lead to commercialization in the global market.   

There is potential for Wisconsin and Israel to collaborate in water technology, biotechnology, advanced agriculture, renewable energy and health care research and development, Doyle said.Doyle is leading a delegation of Wisconsin business and government leaders on a trade mission to Israel this week. Later today, Doyle will address the 5th Annual International Water Technologies, Renewable Energy and Environmental Control Exhibition (WATEC) to highlight Wisconsin's leadership in water technology research and development.