Mayor of Surrey Leads Trade Mission to Israel

VANCOUVER, Dec. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - As part of the City of Surrey's transformation into Canada's innovation gateway, Mayor Dianne Watts is in Israel on a week-long business trade mission focused on medical technology in partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

"Israel is known as the world's global 'Start-Up Nation'. Canada's 'Start-Up City', Surrey, is looking to tap into Israel's pioneering cutting-edge medical, entrepreneurial and scientific innovation," said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.

Partnering with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs/Pacific Region, Mayor Watts is accompanied by a high-level delegation from the health technology business sector and representatives from Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Kwantlen Polytechnic University - all with the aim of strengthening Surrey's new world class medical technology hub, "Innovation Boulevard."

The Surrey delegation will meet with representatives from Israel's most respected hospitals, research institutions, and start-up companies.

Surrey will partner with Israel Brain Technologies (IBT)—Israel's most prestigious neuro technology consortium created by Israel's President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres.

"I am impressed by the individuals Surrey has assembled on this important endeavour and look forward to advancing neuro technology initiatives together," said Miri Polacheck, Executive Director of Israel Brain Technologies.

This partnership will lead to the establishment of close ties between Israel's leading neuro science innovators and their colleagues on Surrey's Innovation Boulevard.

Meeting with Mayor Watts, former Israeli Ambassador to Canada Miriam Ziv discussed why Surrey-Israel partnerships are a positive development and a natural fit.

"As a global pioneer in medical innovation, Israel has much to share with cities like Surrey. Our success is a product of Israel's ability to bring together the best of academia, research, science and entrepreneurship to create world-class technologies and cures. Mayor Watts is leading Surrey in the same direction. I knew we were an excellent fit from when I first met Mayor Watts in BC," said Ambassador Ziv.

"The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs/Pacific Region is honoured to be partnering with the City of Surrey on this exciting trade mission to Israel. Together, Israel and Surrey are well-positioned to make the world a better place through science and innovation," said CIJA/Pacific Region board member Candace Kwinter who is accompanying Mayor Watts on the mission.

As the non-partisan advocacy arm of the Jewish Federations of Canada, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) serves as the voice of the organized Canadian Jewish community.

Innovation Boulevard is a network of health institutions, universities, companies and talented people located within one square mile in Surrey, BC's City Centre between Simon Fraser University and Surrey Memorial Hospital Campus.

SOURCE: Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Please contact:

Jordan Kerbel
Deputy Director of Communications
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
416-317-9517
[email protected]