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Galilee - Industry
The Galilee is a fascinating blend of low-tech and high-tech industry. While agriculture still plays an important part of the Galilee’s economy, there are a large number of high-tech companies operating in the hills and valleys of this scenic region. In fact, some of the country’s cutting edge high-tech defense technologies were developed at RAFAEL, located in Misgav, in the Western Galilee.
The Galilee has skilled manpower (an estimated 2,700 scientists and engineers), ample resources, and in-depth know-how and technological capabilities at its disposal. There are currently about 167 companies and factories in the Galilee and an estimated 120 new businesses are set up each year. Communications, information technology, electronics, optics, semiconductors, life sciences, plastics, automated machinery, and chemicals companies are located in the region.
A number of Israel’s leading high-tech success stories got their start in the Galilee. One notable success is Galileo Technology, which was acquired by the Marvell Technology Group in late 2000 for $2.7 billion in shares. The company, now known as Marvell Israel, specializes in developing VLSI integrated circuits for communications and data storage.
ISCAR, founded by well-known industrialist Stef Wertheimer, manufactures and markets precision carbide metal working tools worldwide. ISCAR supplies metal removal products to major industries, including automotive, aerospace, dies and mold and a variety of mass production industries.
Elbit Systems, an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world, in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), advanced electro-optic and space technologies, has a factory in Karmiel.
Local textile leaders, Delta Galil Industries and Tefron, have factories in the Galilee. Delta Ltd. is a leading global apparel company specializing in intimate apparel, men's underwear and socks. Tefron is a manufacturer of seamless wear whose products are sold worldwide by brand marketers and specialty retailers. By contrast, Galilee Silks produces exquisite high handmade silk products.
A Hub for High-Tech Industry
Industrial parks have become a hub of high-tech activity in the Galilee. Some of the country’s leading manufacturers have factories in local industrial parks, including Strauss Elite (Bar Lev), ISCAR (Tefen), and Tefron (Teradion). [who else?]
Parks located in the Galilee include
- Bar Lev Industrial Park
- Karmiel Science Park
- Koren Ma’a lot Industrial Park
- Lavon Industrial Park
- Migdal Ha’Emek Science Park
- Teradion Industrial Park
- Tel-Hai Industrial Park
- Tefen Industrial Park
The Tefen Industrial Park also houses The Open Museum featuring Israeli art and sculpture. There is also an exhibition of antique cars.
Incubating Ideas, Encouraging Entrepreneurs
Technological incubators provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to develop their innovative technological ideas and set up new businesses in order to commercialize them. There are seven technological incubators located in the Galilee :
§ Kinarot – Jordan Valley Technological Incubator
§ Meytag High Tech Ventures, Golan Heights
§ Meytav – Technological Enterprises Initiation Center, Kiryat Shmona
§ Misgav Technology Center, Misgav
§ Naiot Technological Center, Yokneam
§ New Generation Technology, Nazareth
§ Yozmot Ha’Emek Ofek La’Oleh, Migdal Ha’Emek
Creating an Attractive Environment for Doing Business
With lower infrastructure costs and reduced municipal taxes, the cost of setting up a business in the Galilee is substantially lower. The government has created a supportive environment and attractive incentives that make doing business in the Galilee an excellent business proposition. For more information, see the Galilee Business Network website .
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