Mangalore: Consul General of Israel Speaks on Diplomatic Relations with India
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Jul 31: "There is a proposal to open a consulate in Bangalore and it will be realized in the month of September this year," said Orna Sagiv, consul general of Israel, Mumbai, at an interactive meeting on ‘20 Years of Indo-Israel Diplomatic Relations’ held at meeting hall of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday July 31. She was replying to a query at the meeting.
She also brushed aside any opposition by any sector to opening the consulate in Bangalore. This will be the second consulate after Mumbai. There is an Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
"For those who are facing visa problems in going to Israel, applying for a separate second passport is the best solution, and the same can be obtained from the passport centre in a short time (maybe in 7 days)," she said in answer to another query.
Earlier, addressing the meeting she said that ever since the consulate was set up in India in the 1992, significant growth has taken place in bilateral relations politically and in trade. She stated that Israel stands number one in water solutions and 85 percent of the water is recycled. She added that as water is becoming a global problem, water conservation is taught to every child in Israel.
About agriculture in Israel, Sagiv said that when the population of Israel was 6 lac in 1948, 65 percent of them were farmers. The population has risen to 78 lac now with farmers making 2.4 percent.
On investment prospects in Israel, she said that Indian MNCs have better opportunities in Israel and companies like Infosys and TCS have already found a conducive environment as the policies of the Israeli government support investment and economic growth.
“Israel is a center for innovation and technological excellence and SMEs are also better placed. There are good opportunities in IT, telecom, and bio-technology among other fields,” said Sagiv.
She said that Israel is not just a place for pilgrim or business, there is potential for the tourism sector too. "Every year about 40,000 Israeli tourists come to India. Israel has developed bio-lateral relationship with the horticulture department of Karnataka and technology exchange centers will be opened in Belgaum, Kolar, and Bagalkot. One such center in Haryana as of now," she said.