The joint Russian-Israeli business forum started today in St. Petersburg, the press service of St. Petersburg Governor administration said. The Forum participants and guests have been welcomed Valentina Matvienko, the St. Petersburg Governor and Binyamin (Fuad) Ben-Eliezer, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment of Israel. The Israeli delegation includes representatives of 50 major companies interested in cooperation with St. Petersburg.

Valentina Matvienko highlighted that St. Petersburg attaches great importance to strengthening business partnerships with Israel. In 2008, St. Petersburg delegation visited Israel and signed the agreement on cooperation between St. Petersburg and Haifa. In 2009, a business information center of St. Petersburg was opened in Haifa.

"Today, we are counting not only on imports from Israel, but also on the joint developments, and in the future, on the co-production of optical and measuring devices, advanced medical products and equipment, clean food," Mrs. Matvienko is quoted as saying.

Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that as of today Russian and Israeli companies have accumulated extensive experience in various fields, and this potential must be realized in specific projects. He expressed his willingness to do everything possible to maintain the interest of Israeli companies to invest in the economy of St. Petersburg.