GRAND RAPIDS ? Israel is looking to work with Michigan companies ? particularly those involved in green technology and pharma – Yariz Becher, the economic affairs consul for the Israel Economic Mission in the Midwest, told members of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge.

Becher, based in Chicago, spoke to a special West Michigan session hosted by The Right Place, Padnos and the Ostrow Law Firm at the University Club. Several dozen people attended.

The Economic Mission represents the two key government bodies charged with Israel’s economic development: the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.

?What Israel has to offer is high quality engineering and research and development,? he said. ?We already have such major IT companies in Israel as Google, Microsoft, HP, Intel, Oracle and IBM.?

The Economic Mission is working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on a couple of wastewater decentralization projects through Miya, part of the Israeli-based Arison Group. The Arison group is owned by the Arison brother and sister, who also own Carnival Cruise. Miya operates, in Michigan through its Canadian subsidiary Veritec Consulting Group. One pilot project was concluded in Farmington Hills, and a second is under development in Grand Rapids.

Every year, the Grand Rapids pumps about 1.4 billion gallons of water out of Lake Michigan that are never billed to a customer. Wayne Jernberg, acting assistant manager of the city?s water system, would like to find out where all that water ? about 10.5 percent of the system?s total volume ? is going. He hopes to learn more after Veritec completes its study of the city?s 1,200 miles of water lines.

The MEDC also is working with Israel-based Emefcy Ltd. The company hopes to transform wastewater treatment from an energy guzzler to an energy producer using microbial fuel cells, creating electricity for industrial and municipal uses. GE invested out of Energy Technology Ventures, a joint venture between GE, NRG Energy and ConocoPhilips. The MEDC will do a pilot at a food processor in West Michigan.

If you?re interested in working with the Israel Economic Mission, you can contact Becher at (312) 332-2160.

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