Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met in Washington with the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), Ilan Goldfajn, to discuss expanding economic cooperation between Israel and Latin America. The meeting was part of Smotrich’s visit to the United States and focused on increasing investment opportunities and promoting Israeli companies’ activities in the region.
The IADB invests billions of dollars annually in various projects across Latin America. Israel, a member of the bank since 1976, operates two dedicated funds within the institution focusing on water, agriculture, and energy. These Israeli funds enable local companies to conduct business pilots in Latin American countries and develop strategic partnerships with the region’s emerging markets.
New Opportunities from the Inter-American Development Bank
During the meeting, the parties discussed various ways to expand cooperation and increase investments in additional sectors, with a focus on new opportunities that the IADB offers to benefit Israel’s economy and innovation ecosystem. They explored avenues to integrate Israeli companies into major projects across Latin America, a move that could open new markets and create additional business opportunities for the Israeli economy.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said at the conclusion of the meeting: “I was pleased to have an in-depth and fascinating discussion with the President of the IADB , Ilan Goldfajn. I look forward to further strengthening Israel’s economic ties with Latin American countries, leveraging the many opportunities the bank provides to benefit the Israeli economy and Israeli innovation.”
Cooperation with the IADB is considered one of the most significant platforms for promoting Israeli economic activity in international markets, particularly in water technologies, advanced agriculture, and smart energy solutions. These efforts align with the Finance Ministry’s economic strategy to enhance Israel’s trade and investment relations on the global stage and expand Israel’s influence in the international economy arena.
