Senior officials from the United States and Israel met yesterday (Wednesday) virtually in the 36th session of the Joint Economic Development Forum between Israel and the United States (JEDG) – the joint annual dialogue on economic policy. The forum meets once a year since 1985 and serves as a leading platform for bi- Bilateral economic dialogue between the United States and Israel.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the state of existing economic-bilateral relations and stressed a mutual commitment to expand coordination and cooperation regarding a variety of key industries. The main points of the dialogue between the representatives dealt with the macroeconomic forecast, regional economic development against the background of the ‘Abraham Agreements’, cyber security and investments in the green economy.
The Israeli JEDG delegation was headed by Finance Ministry Director General Ram Blinkov and Chief Economist Shira Greenberg, as well as officials from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Environmental Protection, the Bank of Israel, and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, Yael Lampert, headed the U.S. delegation including the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nyds, Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Eric Meyer, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, Roland de Marslos, Assistant Deputy Secretary of State, Hadi Said, and other senior officials from the State Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministries of Finance, Housing and Urban Development, and Energy.
The Assistant Secretary of State for Lampert emphasized the importance and strength of relations between the countries and emphasized that the JEDG Forum creates a unique opportunity for direct engagement between the parties that supports the business sector and strengthens economic ties.
Ambassador Nabes greeted the guests and noted that the economic recovery following the corona plague can only be achieved through cooperation. Finance Ministry Director General Ram Blinkov added, “The JEDG is an important pillar in strengthening strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States, and is of vital importance to the Israeli economy. The discussion was successful and fruitful, and I believe it will further strengthen economic ties between The countries. “