Baker administration prepares for Israel trade mission

After steering clear of overseas trade missions in his first 18 months on the job, Governor Charlie Baker now appears poised to travel to Israel with business leaders later this year.

Israel’s population isn’t much bigger than that of Massachusetts, and the country doesn’t rank in the state’s top 20 markets for exports.

But proponents say Israel, like Massachusetts, punches above its weight class, the two places’ world-renowned startup sectors are natural matches, and this state has much to gain from Israel’s expertise in cybersecurity. There’s a common language and, to a significant extent, a shared heritage.

Governor Deval Patrick made Israel a priority during his tenure, leading two entourages there, in 2011 and 2014, among his 10 overseas trade missions.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/08/02/baker-administration-prepares-for-governor-overseas-trade-mission-israel/Q7ew0dCH9Ctp0bLUEz1UOO/story.html