The “Israel Agritech Innovation for a Food Secure Tomorrow Business Forum” was convened in Makati City. The forum highlighted a powerful partnership between Israel and the Philippines. It focused on agricultural innovation for a more sustainable future.
The event, held on July 30, 2025, was graced by the presence of the Honorable Nir Barkat. He is the Minister of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel.
Organized by the Office of the Economic Attaché under the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Israel and the Israel Export Institute, the forum brought together key stakeholders from both nations.
The goal was to explore cutting-edge agricultural technologies. Participants also sought to promote food security and sustainable development in the Philippines.
Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, emphasized the importance of building bridges. He highlighted the importance of innovation and technology and partnerships between the two countries.
“Israel today is a powerhouse of innovation,” Ambassador Fluss stated. He also noted the existing Israeli technologies already implemented in the Philippines. He cited examples such as Waze, Viber, and defense technologies.
He expressed Israel’s commitment to partner with the Philippines, saying it is a commitment of the State of Israel to President Marcos.
Ambassador Aileen Mendiola-Rau, Philippine Ambassador in Israel, underscored the strong bilateral relationship. She mentioned key sectors for collaboration, including agri-tech, food security, health, life sciences, innovation, startups, defense, and cybersecurity.
“Our market is not just 115 million Filipinos, it’s the rest of ASEAN,” Ambassador Mendiola-Rau said. She added that the Philippines offers Israeli businesses a dynamic market and a gateway to the region.
Hon. Nir Barkat, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, spoke about Israel’s innovative spirit. “We are perceived in the world as a start-up nation. And I have to tell you, there’s a reason for that. Because in Israel, our DNA is that we need to find solutions to problems,” he explained.
The forum featured technology showcases from 12 leading Israeli agritech companies. They presented innovative solutions for challenges in agriculture. Panel discussions further explored opportunities and challenges in the sector.
Minister Barkat highlighted Israel’s resilient economy. He stated, “Israel’s economy is one of the most resilient economies in the world.” Despite recent challenges, he reported a growth rate of 3.4% in the first quarter of 2025. He also predicted exceeding 5% growth in 2026.
The event underscored Israel’s commitment to sharing its expertise and technology. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity and food security around the world. With 750 companies and 22 research facilities dedicated to agro-tech, food tech, and aqua-tech, Israel is poised to lead the way in agricultural innovation. Partnerships like this business forum are vital for creating a food-secure future.
