November Edition 2020

23 are of obvious interest but the sector is wide. As high as Israel ranks on the world stage for agri-tech and water treatment, the country has an unrivalled reputation in the field of technology for food security, which also serves the Emirati interest. With some of the region’s biggest sovereign investment vehicles, Abu Dhabi has ambitions to create agri-tech and technology hubs in the Emirate. In smart transportation, Jerusalem-based Mobileye, which was acquired by Intel for USD 15.3 billion in 2017, has already announced a strategic partnership w ith the UAE’s Al Habtoor Group (AHG) to begin setting up the infrastructure to test autonomous vehicles in Dubai. The plan is to roll out a full Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas) offering, including self-driving taxis and smart city solutions, by 2023. Even in the sensitive area of Middle Eastern oil, there has already been an early breakthrough. The Europe-Asia Pipeline Co. (formerly the Eilat- Ashkelon Pipeline Co.) (EAPC) has signed a binding MoU with the Med-Red company to operate a land bridge to transport oil between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, providing both a cheaper alternative to the Suez Canal. In transport and logistics more widely, we may well see more collaboration. “Utilizing the benefits of the UAE as a hub to worldwide markets. This would reduce costs and shorten shipping times with the help of the existing logistical infrastructure in the UAE and Israel,” adds Tzfoni of NBA. In late October, Israel’s Ministry of Transport signed an aviation agreement with the UAE to allows 28 weekly flights in each direction between Tel Aviv andAbu Dhabi andDubai,with carriers to include Emirates and EtihadAirways, as well as Israeli airlines, Israir and Arkia. Calcalist reported on October 25 that the Dubai-based NY Koen Group, owned by Israeli businessman, Naum Koen, has put in a USD 50 million bid for the Israeli airline. As far as travel between the two countries goes, the UAE could also be a popular destination with post-army Israeli travelers keen to experience a Persian Gulf country, while, Emirati students may find Israeli universities a good fit, with the Arab student population in Israel totalin g more than 15%. Already, the need for entry visas f or Israelis entering the UAE and Emiratis entering Israel is being waived. The UAE has already submitted an official request to open an embassy in Tel Aviv. Early breakthroughs regarding oil, aviation and travel