Sino-Israeli cooperative scientific and technological innovation private equity venture capital panning for gold in the land

Original title: innovation achieves miracles and venture capital promotes cooperation

Harrell Locke talks about the Exchange of Agricultural Science and Technology between China and Israel

"when it comes to the sustained and sound development of Sino-Israeli relations, we have to mention Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's very important visit to China in May 2013," Harrell Locke, a partner in the Israel-Israel Agricultural Science and Technology Fund, said in an interview with the Science and Technology Daily. "as the organizer and witness of that important visit, I am deeply honored and determined to devote myself to the exchange of agricultural science and technology between China and Israel."

Locke, who served as Israeli prime minister's chief of staff and head of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's economic command from 2011 to 2015, is considered the most influential figure on Netanyahu's economic policy. While people are still talking about the unprecedented farewell ceremony held for him by the prime minister at the end of last year, Locke has begun to be active in new areas of promoting the development of Sino-Israeli relations, this time with the title of partner in the China-Israel Agricultural Science and Technology Fund. Why agriculture? Why the science and technology fund? With a series of questions, a reporter from the Science and Technology Daily conducted an exclusive interview with him.

Scientific and technological Innovation achieves Israel's Agricultural Miracle

"the difficult environment has created a powerful country in agricultural science and technology, and suffering has become a blessing." Speaking of Israeli agricultural technology, Locke said, "Israel is the global innovation leader in agricultural, water and food science and technology." In his view, the harsh natural environment, the safe environment surrounded by strong enemies, and the strong ability of scientific research and innovation have given birth to modern Israeli agricultural science and technology.

Israel has the most advanced desalination technology in the world and has successfully turned its technological advantage into industrial advantage. The drip irrigation technology invented by Israel provides the most effective weapon for people around the world to fight drought and hunger. In the areas of farming, dairy and animal husbandry, Israel has maximized cow production and automated dairy farm management through innovation. The country's agricultural research organization has become a world leader in agricultural scientific and technological innovation and technology export, covering agricultural engineering, soil, water and environmental science, food technology, postharvest storage and so on.

In the breeding industry, for example, highly adaptable varieties of fruits and vegetables cultivated in Israel, such as cherry tomatoes, are not only nutritious and delicious, but also last longer. "this is due to the integration of Israel's powerful genetic research techniques and traditional breeding techniques," Locke said. " Israel has drawn the genetic map of a variety of vegetables and flowers and developed high-quality seeds that adapt to a variety of environments. Israel has become the fertile ground for the world seed industry giants. Almost every seed industry giant in the world has its own R & D center and M & An activities in Israel.

Agricultural cooperation has become a new highlight of Sino-Israeli cooperation.

"when I assist the premier in formulating Sino-Israeli cooperation policies and accompanying him to meet with Chinese leaders, I can deeply feel the important position of agriculture in China." as well as the creativity and productivity in the agricultural field contained and erupted in the Chinese government and people, "Locke said." Agricultural cooperation has become a new bright spot in Sino-Israeli cooperation. "

Since the Ministry of Agriculture of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation in 1993, exchanges in agricultural science and technology between the two countries have been continuously deepened. Drawing lessons from Israeli technology, China has developed a number of new technologies suitable for China's national conditions in the areas of water-saving irrigation, facility cultivation and dairy cow breeding. In recent years, China and Israel have successively signed important documents such as the action plan for strengthening agricultural cooperation and the summary of cooperation between the ministries of agriculture of the two countries, thus building a relatively complete framework for cooperation.

"the economic mergers and acquisitions between China and Israel have attracted the most attention in the field of agriculture." Locke said. ChemChina bought a 60 per cent controlling stake in Israel's Maxim Forrest Gump for $1.4 billion in 2011, and China Bright Food Group bought a stake in Tenuit, Israel's largest food company, in 2014, with a market value of $2.5 billion. It is the largest acquisition in the history of the Israeli food industry.

"there are still many Chinese and Israeli enterprises discussing cooperation and mergers and acquisitions." Locke said: "China's 13th five-year Plan places special emphasis on the importance of agriculture, and the spring of agricultural scientific and technological cooperation between China and Israel has arrived."

Venture capital promotes agricultural cooperation between China and Israel

"there are obvious policy and cultural differences between China and Israel, and private placement and venture capital are effective tools to bridge the gap and promote cooperation and development." In Locke's view, the Chinese and Israeli governments have done a lot of fruitful work and established a good cooperation mechanism to promote bilateral cooperation and development. "the government has paved the way and provided convenience for private enterprises and capital to run on the road."

Locke believes that in Israel, the role of the government is limited, and capital, technology and investment channels are all in private hands. When the government has set up a platform and dredged the channels, it is necessary to mobilize private enterprises and capital to act. Although Israeli enterprises yearn for China's market and resources, they lack confidence and channels when they really face China. "compared with the familiar European and American markets, they find themselves facing policy, cultural, market and other challenges, need to be led, need bridges, especially agricultural cooperation projects."

"this is why I set up the China-Israel Agricultural Science and Technology Fund." Locke said. His background in government decision-making makes him more familiar with China than others; his economic background and experience in charge of economic work let him know which technologies are more suitable for development in China. "so I want to be the leader of Israeli agricultural enterprises to help them open up the Chinese market and promote cooperation in agricultural science and technology."

In Locke's view, China has a huge market and resources, the ability to carry out mass production, and the experience of making enterprises bigger and stronger, while Israel has endless innovation momentum, a good innovation ecological environment and an endless stream of start-ups. "the life cycle of an enterprise is usually divided into two stages: start-up and growth. China has the strongest complementary role in this life cycle and is bound to have the best cooperation effect."

Locke believes that Israel's agricultural, food, water and environmental markets are extremely attractive, while China has a strong demand for agricultural, food, water and environmental solutions and products. He is building the first investment fund to focus on agriculture, food, water and the environment in the Israeli market.

Locke said they will focus on looking for companies with leading market share and reliable technology or patent concepts to provide financing support and professional management services for Israeli small and medium-sized agricultural companies suitable for the Chinese market. (Tel Aviv, Science and Technology Daily, March 29th)-our correspondent in Israel Feng Zhiwen)