The high-level visit is being organised by Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry in coordination with India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Key business organisations from both countries will participate, including the Israel Export Institute, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, and The Manufacturers Association of Israel. On the Indian side, FICCI and CII will play leading roles.

The programme will feature a business forum, B2B meetings with Indian companies, and an exclusive CEOs Forum selected by both governments. This will also include a session  hosted by Invest India (under DPIIT), along with roundtable discussions and industry visits.

The Israeli delegation will attend the India Energy Week, which is scheduled to take place in Delhi at the same time.

Israeli businesses are hopeful that the resumption of Air India flights from March 2, along with a relative calm in Israel’s north and south due to ceasefire agreements, will further boost trade between the two nations.

During his earlier visit to India in April 2023, before the outbreak of the war in October, Barkat had shown interest in hiring skilled Indian workers to address Israel’s labour shortages.

Since the conflict began with the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, this shortage has become even more critical. Israel has since brought in around 13,000 Indian workers for the construction sector and plans to recruit several thousand more across various industries.

While India-Israel trade has historically focused on diamond transactions since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, the relationship has diversified in recent years.

Both countries have identified six key sectors for growth: advanced manufacturing, climate and desert technology, agro and food technology, defence and homeland security, high-tech industries, and life sciences and healthcare.-Agencies