Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem Blog

In addition to my work as a business coach, one of my interests is blogging about life in Israel. This is a country full of contrasts – over eight million citizens living in an area the size of Wales. You can see snow and the lowest place on the globe in the same day. Although surrounded by geopolitical extremes, Israel has achieved a decade of high economic growth. My work brings me in contact with an array of new companies, exciting technologies and dynamic characters. Sitting back with a relaxing cup of strong tea (with milk), you realise just how much there is to appreciate in the Holyland. Large or small operations, private sector or non profit, my clients provide experiences from which others can learn and benefit.

It is now official. Israel’s economy is growing at its slowest rate for five years. A 1.5% boost for the second quarter 2014 has been seen as a poor return, when analysts had been predicting a report of around 2.5%.

Compared to much of the OCED, this growth level seems very reasonable. However, the stat barely covers the growth in population. It also includes the boost from the new wealth of off-shore energy resources, implying that other sectors are performing poorly. Israelis are used to benefitting form 4% annually returns. So, is it all doom and gloom?

Well the answer is no. Let me point out three high-tech successes in recent weeks that indicate why the economy is very likely to see better days in 2015.

  • The startup Fitterli, a service that provides an online virtual changing room for shoppers, was announced as the winner of the Intel Business Challenge Europe 2014.
  • ReWalk Robotics RWLK that manufactures motorized wearable robotic exoskeletons which are used to help those who are paralyzed  from the waist down regain mobilityday, saw their shares more than double in days, following an IPO in America.
  • Israeli cyber solutions are seen amongst the leaders in an increasingly dynamic global market.

It cannot be an accident that three of Israel’s universities – Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa – have been placed amongst the world’s top two hundred establishments. This is how Israel builds its future – based on a greater understanding of new cultures and ethics – and this is what these three high tech examples are portraying to the wider  international community.

 

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