Patrick is expected to visit Israel
Governor planning 2d trade mission
Governor Deval L. Patrick, who traveled to China last year for his first foreign trade mission, is headed to Israel for his second international excursion, according to several people familiar with the plans.
Nancy Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, said the trip, slated for the week of Nov. 9, will include stops in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv and last about four days.
"There are just enormous opportunities that exist," said Kaufman, whose organization is helping plan the trip.
The governor's office acknowledged it has been considering such a trip.
"While no announcements have been made, Israel would be a logical destination," Cyndi Roy, a Patrick spokeswoman, said in a written statement. "Massachusetts and Israel share a common commitment to creating economic opportunities and innovative medical discovery by growing the life sciences industry."
Kaufman and other officials said Patrick is eager to use the visit to build ties to Israel's life sciences and clean energy industries, which Patrick sees as vital to the Bay State's future growth.
In June, Patrick signed a $1 billion life sciences package, which provides money for research facilities, economic incentives for companies to expand and other funding for the life sciences industry. And the state has recently taken a number of steps to promote the alternative energy industries in Massachusetts, including the creation of a Clean Energy Technology Center, which will fund job training, research and start-ups.
Patrick is also slated to meet with government leaders, visit some of Israel's religious sites and speak at the Israeli Prime Minister's Conference for Export and International Cooperation in Jerusalem on Nov. 12, Kaufman said. State and Israel officials met Monday to discuss the trip, said Daniella Caplan, a press officer for the Israeli consulate in Boston.
Last month, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine visited Israel on a similar trade mission.
"I do believe there is an enormous opportunity. Israel is focused on biotech and alternative energy," Corzine told reporters last month. Governors from several other states, including Hawaii, Texas, and California, have visited Israel in recent years.
Regardless, Massachusetts and Israel already have strong ties. In 2004, the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston created the Boston-Haifa Life Sciences Initiative to help cultivate relationships between the cities' life sciences sectors. Haifa is a sister city to Boston. In 1987, the state signed a general accord with Israel on trade, investment, education, and medicine.
In 2007, Massachusetts exported nearly $203 million worth of goods to Israel, up 17 percent from 2006. Many Israeli companies already have offices in Massachusetts, and vice versa.
Barry Shrage, CJP's president, said that, "by visiting Israel, the governor will witness first-hand the partnership between Massachusetts and Israel that is already improving life in both countries through advances in life sciences and energy independence."
Todd Wallack can be reached at twallack@globe.com. 