Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, will join the traveling party that departs Thursday for a 10-day trade mission to Israel.
Gov. Rick Scott is heading the trip, which is backed by Enterprise Florida, the Orlando-based public-private economic development organization.
While not among the states largest trading partners, Israel does more than $200 million a year in business with the Sunshine State.
Scott and Haridopolos, along with their wives, are expected to be among nearly 50 on the trip, according to Enterprise Florida.
Scott said Tuesday the focus of the trip is both trade and making contacts.
If there are issues between Israel and Florida, its always easier if you know somebody, Scott said.
Scott is expected to meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
The purpose of the trip is to strengthen business and cultural ties between Israel and Florida, said Stuart Doyle, Enterprise Florida spokesman.
Among the activities will be a presentation at the Israel Export Institute on Florida for Israeli companies, Doyle stated in an email. Governor Scott also will meet one-to-one with Israeli companies to discuss their expanding to Florida.
The governor will be a speaker at GLOBES, a leading business conference in Israel. The state will also have a panel at the conference.
Haridopolos' trip is being funded by the state, according to the Associated Press. His wife, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, is paying for her ticket.
In a release, Hardiopolos expressed his support for the governor leading foreign trade missions.
I believe this is a tremendous opportunity to meet with Israeli political leaders, as well as prominent business leaders, in order to foster a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the State of Florida and Israel," he said. "It is my hope that this trip will not only foster good will between our state and Israel, but will also serve to increase trade and jobs to Florida.
The Scott trip is being covered by Enterprise Florida, according to the governors office.
According to Enterprise Florida, Floridas top exports to Israel are: motor vehicles, $26.5 million; aviation engines and parts, $8.7 million; fruit juice, $4.5 million; oil, not crude, $2.3 million; and yachts and other pleasure craft, $1.9 million.
In terms of tourism, Israelis coming to Florida ticked up 17.9 percent from 2009 to 2010, attracting 41,100 visitors in 2010 who spent an estimated $31.9 million.
This will be Scotts fourth foreign excursion since taking office in January.
Scott went to Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October, Canada in June and Panama in March.
The governor said the trip to Montreal and Toronto netted more than 200 jobs, while the Panama trip was strictly focused on convincing Panamanians that Florida ports will be ready and able to take on the behemoth Panamax ships once the Panama Canal widening is completed in 2014.
After visiting Sao Paulo, where he headed an Enterprise Florida delegation of 187, Scott said that more than $60 million in contracts was signed by organizations that went on the trip.
The goal of the mission was to boost the states $13.7 billion a year economic infusion from its biggest South American trading partner.
Israeli companies with operations in Florida include the following: Bank Hapoalim Bm, Gazit-Globe Ltd., Bank Leumi Le Israel Bm, Hazera Genetics Ltd., Commtouch Software Inc., Israel Discount Bank Ltd., Cvidya Networks Ltd., Ituran Location and Control Ltd., ECI Telecom Ltd., Medingo Ltd., El Al Israel Airlines Ltd., Mind Lab Group, Elbit Systems Ltd., Tevteva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Galtronics Ltd., and Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
Florida companies with operations in Israel include: Airspan Networks Inc., Allen Systems Group Inc., Arthur Murray International Inc., Burger King Holdings Inc., ECI Telecom Inc., and Office Depot Inc.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or (772) 215-9889.
