LANSING – Governor Rick Snyder announced Friday that he would make his fifth trade and investment mission trip, this time to Israel, in an attempt to strengthen ties in the academic, automotive and business communities. Previously, the governor has gone to locations in the Far East, Europe and Canada.

Snyder, in a press call, described Israel as a “start-up country” who has done some innovative things in terms of their start-up business and entrepreneurial areas.

He will be joined by CEO Michael Finney of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Snyder said he plans to make stops in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and out in the “country side to see other areas in Israel.” The MEDC Foundation is paying for the trip, Snyder said, so it won’t be funded by taxpayer dollars.

Also among his list of topics to cover on his nine-day trip is early childhood development and human services, as well as the defense industry.

“I think there are opportunities going both ways based on that industry,” Snyder said of the defense industry sector. “A lot of that ties into automotive companies too.”

As for academic institutions, Snyder said he would be interested in what he called a “technology transfer” and further strengthening relationships with Michigan universities that already have established a base in Israel.

In addition to Michigan’s business climate and general environment, the state has much to offer in the way of strong cultural ties, particularly with large Jewish community in metro Detroit.

“This is another step forward in the reinvention of Michigan to say let’s build our base, let’s strengthen our ties with Israel,” Snyder said. “We already have strong ties and that’s what makes Michigan a focal point in the nation.”

Michigan is ranked in the top 20 state for both imports and exports (15th in imports, 19th in exports). In 2012, Michigan companies exported nearly $117 million in goods and materials to Israel, with transportation equipment being the largest export item at nearly $70 million, followed by machinery, chemicals and food manufactures.

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