U.S. enters high-tech trade forum with Israel

U.S. enters high-tech trade forum with Israel The United States and Israel have agreed to initiate a U.S.-Israel High Technology Forum, a Commerce Department undersecretary-level bilateral dialogue to facilitate and improve secure high-tech trade and investment between the two countries.
   “The High Technology Forum will accelerate, elevate and institutionalize a senior-level dialogue to address bilateral high technology trade, investment, and related security issues within the context of our larger strategic relationship,” said Mario Mancuso, Commerce Department undersecretary for industry and security, in a statement.
   Mancuso proposed the forum to senior Israeli government officials from the ministries of defense, foreign affairs, and industry, trade and labor, during a trip to Israel on Aug. 27-30.
   In a telephone call with reporters Thursday, Mancuso said his Isreali counterparts were “excited” by the forum and “are committed to its implementation.” He said Israeli and U.S. business interests have also expressed support for the forum.
   The Commerce Department has entered similar forums with China and India. Mancuso said the U.S.-Israeli High Technology Forum is part of a larger effort by BIS to accelerate U.S. engagement with the “most dynamic technology markets in the world,” the bureau said.