Canada, Israel to establish joint energy research
10/31/2012 04:31
Canada to invest $5m. over course of three years, while Israeli government will allocate resources based on the specific needs.
Minister Uzi Landau, Canadian counterpart Photo: Courtesy of Water and Energy Ministry
In order to broaden the cooperative work on energy between Israel and Canada,
ministers from both countries announced on Monday that they would be
establishing a joint fund for bilateral research in the field.
Energy and
Water Minister Uzi Landau and Canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver
made the announcement at a Monday Israel-Canada business seminar in Toronto, the
Energy and Water Ministry reported on Tuesday. For its part, Canada will be
investing $5 million over the course of three years in the fund, while Israeli
government will allocate resources based on the specific needs of each project,
according to the ministry.
“Canada is a close friend of Israel, and we
see in it a natural partner in the effort to develop natural resources,” Landau
said. “Between the countries is a long-standing relationship that is warm and
strong and based on beliefs and values. The new fund will contribute to the
economic advancement of two countries and help strengthen ties between the
business sectors.”
Through the fund, the two countries aim to promote
research and development in the energy field, as well as encourage innovation,
improve competitiveness and productivity and enhance the quality of life of
residents of both places. As per the agreement, the projects that will win
financing will be those conducted by industry, as well as others from the
academic realm, the ministry said.
During an interview with The Jerusalem
Post in Jerusalem this June, Oliver had stressed the importance of future
collaborations between the two countries, in both the traditional and renewable
energy fields.
Specifically, Oliver pointed to Canada’s wealth of
experience in offshore drilling and extraction of non-conventional oil, and
Israel’s status as a “hotbed of innovation.”
In June, both Oliver and
Landau had promised that there would be more bilateral agreements between the
two countries moving forward, particularly in the energy sector.
Now, the
two ministers are aiming to make this initial pledge a
reality.
“Together, we will find new ways to enhance the scientific
capabilities of the two countries, and thus make a significant contribution to
their residents,” Landau said.