Canadian Firms to be Honoured at Israeli Awards

The Israel Economic Mission to Canada and the Consulate General of Israel will hold its annual Israel Trade awards ceremony to honour leading Ontario-based companies and a notable individual for their leading roles in trade and investment relations.

The awards ceremony will be held on May 12, 2010 in Toronto. The event will be attended by The Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Ontario’s Minister for Economic Development and Trade, as well as leading business people, investors, government officials and diplomats.

Jonathan Levy, Consul for Economic Affairs & Trade Commissioner of Israel in Canada told Shalom Life that this year is special for Canada and Israel since the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

This event will focus on the achievements of Canadian companies in importing and implementing Israeli technology in 2009.

"The trade benefit of the two countries is developed through the years. The exports and imports which have been traded consist of sophisticated technologies and products. Both sides have mutual interest in technology and thrive based on the business cooperation," he said.

The Consul mentioned that the main purpose of this recognition is to honour each recipient’s effort in maximizing the trade volume between Canada and Israel, which had a volume of $1.4 billion in 2009. Levy explained that the Israeli Trade awards are only award officially recognized by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor that honour outstanding foreign companies that have consistently forged strong trade, research and investment relations with Israel.

"The ceremony emphasizes the strong economic relations between Ontario and Israel," he noted.

This year, the event will take place several weeks ahead of Premier McGuinty’s visit to Israel with a business delegation. The companies that will receive the 2010 Israeli Trade Award for their great achievements during 2009 will be Given Imaging (Medical & Scientific Innovations), Radware (ICT) , Solemates (consumer products) and The BlackBerry Partners Fund (Direct investments in Israeli mobile technology).

A special award will be presented to Leslie Dan, CM, O.ONT, for a lifetime contribution for promoting bilateral trade with Israel.

During the ceremony, Erica Segal of Julie M. Gallery will be awarded with a special recognition for promoting Israeli art.