O’MALLEY ADDRESSES TEL AVIV STOCK EXCHANGE

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ADDRESSES TEL AVIV STOCK EXCHANGE, MEETS WITH EXECUTIVES OF TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Leading a delegation of more than 30 Maryland business, community and higher education leaders on an eight-day trade mission to Israel and Jordan, Governor Martin O’Malley today addressed investors at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) and held meetings with Israeli and U.S. diplomatic officials, executives of a major pharmaceutical company and members of the Knesset, Israel’s legislative body. At the stock exchange, Governor O’Malley opened the day’s trading session, then spoke to investors about Maryland’s economy and the State’s leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship and high-tech sectors like the biotechnology, green energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

“In addition to forging strong cultural bonds, our close relationship with Israel has opened the door for trade and investment as we work together toward a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future for our children,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland’s strategy of investing in education, innovation and the industries that are creating the technologies and jobs of tomorrow is one that we share with Israel. It was an honor to speak to the investors and executives at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and I look forward to working closely with many of them in the future.”

Following the visit at the stock exchange, Governor O’Malley and members of his cabinet traveled to Petach Tikva in Tel Aviv’s northern suburbs to meet with executives of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., including CEO Dr. Jeremy Levin and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jon Isaacsohn. They discussed the company’s growing facility in Maryland. Teva, the world’s largest producer of generic drugs, acquired CoGenesys of Maryland, a spinoff of Human Genome Sciences, for $400 million in January 2007. The facility in Rockville has grown to more than 80 employees.

Governor O’Malley also met with Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Rabbi Dov Lipman, a member of the Knesset. Both are members of the liberal Yesh Atid (“There is a Future”) Party. Founded by Minister Lapid in April 2012, Yesh Atid became the second-largest party in the Knesset after the elections in January, the first elections in which the party took part. A native of Silver Spring, Rabbi Lipman and Governor O’Malley are honorary co-chairs of the newly formed Maryland/Israel Advisory Board, which is charged with developing business opportunities that will jointly benefit both communities, and also helping to connect Maryland and Israeli business and community leaders for potential partnerships. Earlier today, Governor O’Malley discussed Israeli diplomacy and international relations with Ambassador Jeremy Issacharoff, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Governor closed out the day with a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro to discuss the trade mission, Maryland’s activities in Israel and U.S.-Israeli relations. Following the meeting, Ambassador Shapiro hosted a reception for more than 100 guests, including the Maryland delegation and Israeli business executives who conduct business in the State or are considering establishing a presence.