„Izrael nemá ropu. Preto vymyslel cherry paradajky, USB kľúč — a teraz vedie závod o AI." transcript

So, welcome. >> Thank you so much. I'm happy to be here. >> So, we can start with the first question. Israel is the Silicon Valley of the Middle East. It has produced literally thousands of innovation in biotechnology, nanotechnology, medicine, and last but not least, military, aviation, and spice space technologies. What does it take for a country to become a global innovation leader? >> Well, thank you for that question and for the compliments.

We're very proud of our innovation. Maybe first to give the audience some figures of of how really an important part of Israel's economy the high-tech sector is. It estimates at about 20% of Israel's GDP. >> Mhm. >> And almost 60% of Israel's export is in services, specifically in high-tech. >> Mhm. >> So, we are very highly concentrated into technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. And there are many reasons for for this.

It's kind of the story of Israel. The story of how we we got to where we are in terms of innovation. Um You can look at it from several different developments perspectives. >> Uh-huh. >> So, the first one will be the geopolitical >> Yeah. >> uh aspect of it. And it's interesting because within the geopolitical there is also the social social fabric of Israel. And because of um security needs of Israel uh there is a conscription to the military for all.

We all uh serve men for 3 years, uh the women for two. It was changed, I think, in the last few years, but back when I was in the navy 3 years for men and you find yourself at 18 and you have to make decisions that sometimes are um uh life or death decisions. >> Uh-huh. >> And sometimes you're given responsibilities that you don't think you will get at the age of 18 or 19. And uh the group of talented Israelis that know how to work in engineering, how to do mathematics they go to units that develop, that innovate the needs that are military needs.

And in this environment of uh it's like uh coal being pressured so hard it becomes a diamond. >> It in this environment um there is the need to innovate. And another thing is that we we are not afraid of failing. At this stage you're not thinking about failing. Failing is just part of it. >> Yeah. >> You do it and you try again and again. And this this characteristics is we'll go to that stage later, but when you go to the business side of things then and you take it, you still keep this characteristic of not being afraid to fail, of trying, of of putting yourself out there.

Um not being ashamed of your idea. And so this is one aspect of how innovation starts in Israel. But there are many other interesting elements that Israel's history and its development um moved us towards the side of innovation. We cannot ignore the fact that our strongest ally is the United States of America. Now, there was part of your question that you you called us a hub for um startups. The four bigger hubs of startups of high-tech in the world are all concentrated in the United States.

So then we are the fifth largest. So I think you can understand from that that it's actually eventually high-tech needs an ecosystem to grow in. It needs the engineers, it needs the people that know what is the problem, what is the solution to be in the vicinity. And I think that our vicinity to to those communities also in the United States, the strong ones, the Silicon Valley itself helped us to shape our advancement in the field.

Then maybe another part of uh of the equation that can answer it is that Israel is a very diverse country and we have migrants from many parts of the world. And a big population uh of migrants that came from former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe during 1990 were engineers, physicists. >> Mhm. >> And I think a lot of the foundations of research and development of what you need for today's high-tech, you can see a lot of people that came from that migration because it was it was encouraged at home to study those natural sciences, to study mathematics, to study physics.

Um so this is another element. So I guess to answer your question, how did we get to where we are right now with high-tech? It's all those elements of necessity. And I guess the last one will be to top it all off is that the the lack of creates ingenuity just as for example, we had arid land, a desert. We needed to develop ways for agriculture to succeed and we needed to find solutions for our our water scarcity. >> Mhm. >> We also for a lot of years now it's changed because we did find gas, but for a lot of years we didn't have natural energy.

So our source of income was the natural resource we had was human capital. >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> So this situation of of of lacking the resources you needed, you had to create ingenuity and you had to develop. Sorry for the long answer, but I I think it's a >> totally okay because uh it's it's nice when when you explain also that there is uh many pieces for for this this target. Uh like like you said uh is also about uh knowledge, skills uh from outside, abroad, from a migration.

Um so it's it's really nice and now I just remember like you said about agriculture. >> Right. >> So I remember the little funny story one one scientist from Slovakia said me yes but you you know also cherry tomatoes were was uh >> Yes. >> was from uh >> Israel >> research in Israel. So it's many many things what people can daily used or or even eat. >> But but if I can comment on that it's interesting that you're mentioning it because when people trying to visualize the Israeli ingenuity sometimes we we always end up with cherry tomatoes or or the disk on key the USB.

This was true 20 years ago maybe 10 20 years ago. Today you see a lot of deep tech. >> Mhm. >> Frontier technologies vanguard. Uh we're at the stage and and I'll be happy I don't think we have the time today but invite me for another day we can talk 3 hours about AI and where we heading. And I think there is a lot of good things coming from Israel on that field. Um and this all relates to deep tech and to the position that we have right now in the vanguard technologies.

So maybe it's not as uh crystal clear as a cherry tomato but it's something that we all have in our cellular phones in our computers in in every semiconductor and these developments are very important to society in general. I think right now we see a very giant leap ahead with AI quantum technologies. And um it's very important to be part of it to be to be an asset, to be of value, and I think this is what we want to be where we want to be.

Together with good partners, like-minded partners, including Slovakia. >> Yeah. And also in AI technology, I know that not just Slovak Republic, but also EU little bit lost their strong possibilities in competitiveness with with China, with USA. So, so maybe there is the way with with Israel. >> It's >> Make connection. >> Yeah, yeah, I I I think so. I think you're absolutely right. And I would I would go as far to say also I don't think some competitiveness was lost on your on your end.

I think there are different ways of looking at it. >> Mhm. >> At the subject. I know when I work in the UN I was representing Israel for the second committee. It's issues related to economics. >> Mhm. >> And and I've seen when I was in the negotiation room how representatives of the European Union approached the subject and how countries like myself and the United States approached it. And these are all positives. Positive ways of looking at at the issue.

Um where for example, we would highlight the multi-sectoral aspect of it. Because we say that ingenuity doesn't come from government. We don't want to dictate to companies how to to to solve their problems. We want to give the companies the tools they need if they need to to to reach this problem-solving. >> Mhm. >> We want to enable them. Um and and so we put the private sector really there. The IP, the intellectual property is theirs.

And another important aspect of looking at it is also understanding human rights as part of the equation. And this is what the European Union is doing and it it's doing a very hard work at it, trying to understand what ramifications, what implications AI will have on on the laborer >> Mhm. >> on on our our social fabric. Uh there will be big changes. I'm I like to think about um creativity. Today people are getting so lazy with creativity.

They're like uh chat GPT design me this brochure and I and I and I think this is the last part I want to you know, forego and let go of in terms of humanity. So I think they're doing beautiful things towards this collective visualization of of where we will be with these technologies. So maybe the entrepreneurship and innovation is being a little bit checked, but I think we all work on it from all these aspects. And there are other aspects as well.

Of course, there is the economical aspect. I I just touched upon the the laborer, but there is also the company itself, revenue that will have a lot of effect on. Uh there is cyber, there is security on this issue. And I think Slovakia is in a very good place, actually, um to be of value to this jump in in technology in AI because there is a lot of infrastructure here for development. We're talking When you when you talk about AI, it's not just the end product.

It's a whole supply chain coming from critical minerals through development, through production all the way to the end product. And and I think Slovakia with its rich history of manufacturing can be a vital role in in this supply chain. And this this part of of of manufacturing is very vital right now. In especially in a world where there is you can see fragmentation of supply chains. I think um we really look at Slovakia as as a like-minded partner to really build this robust supply chain. >> So we in your point of view, you can see many opportunities for Slovakia and Israel in this field. >> In this field and in many others.

We were just sitting with I've arrived this morning and we were sitting with the Slovak Israel Chamber of Commerce and um they're doing beautiful work together with the ambassador. By the way, I've listened to your podcast with our ambassador. I was very happy to to hear the podcast. First it was it was a very interesting episode. Also um I'm I'm very happy that this is the ambassador Kobianovsky who works here in Slovakia. >> interview. >> Yes, and and and he he's so um he has such big aspiration to to your question right now.

And and we've talked about so many interesting topics, medtech which can really develop in our cooperation. and of course the Fintech and cyber that we work on is very important but also there is the area of emergency and early warning system and rehabilitation. Um all of it connects in a way to innovation and technology but it doesn't have to stop there. There are so many layers before that. And and definitely to to answer your question, sorry I drifted away but on AI yes, definitely. >> Uh please try to explain also for common people what exactly does your ministry do in the field of innovation diplomacy and what does it mean in practice? >> Yeah.

Um so maybe I can answer this question first by telling you about a meeting I had with with a I had I was sitting with a one of the managers of a big high-tech company in Israel. A company that was just sold for billions of dollars to an American company. And >> Is it not Rafael or Rafael company is not Uh it's your your the fence >> Rafael no no no no >> [laughter] >> not not in the defense sector. Um and um he was trying to understand what it is exactly that I do which is kind of related to your question.

And it it was very interesting to see how he who represents the private sector sees my role and how he wants my role to operate. So I can tell you I will start with how I visualize the position what we do in the foreign ministry with regards to innovation. But, um in in our previous in the previous question, I I talked about the fact that we don't dictate the private sector what to do. I think it's part of the answer to this question as well.

We try to hear what the private sector needs. And we try to be the glue or not the glue, but the to be the the one who unlock problems in bureaucracy. Whether it's tax issues working with another country, whether it's coordination with standardization with the Ministry of Health. We're there from the Foreign Ministry working with the private sector trying to understand what's difficult to them and trying to work as a government to solve those issues.

So, we're very attentive to the private sector. But, also we're trying to be an enabler and we have a whole network of embassies and missions around the world. And they are our front end. And we try to use them to help private sector and to help companies to reach new markets and to develop outside. So, it can mean many different things. It can mean delegations coming to Israel, delegations from Israel. It can mean conferences, exhibitions.

And we're trying to be there in in those important junctures where we can showcase Israeli technology or we can find partners that can help us solve problems that we have in Israel. So, it works both ways. And and I guess I guess this is what we do in our in the ministry. Um I am director of innovation, but innovation doesn't stop with me. I think everyone in the ministry from every uh department needs to touch upon innovation.

I I just recently said here that we're talking about 60% of export, 20% of GDP. >> Yeah. >> This is This is the thing for us. >> Mhm. >> So, everybody needs to know what's going on, what are the problems, what are the frontier technologies, and and everyone does. I think we are all tuned towards it, and uh, there are many other supplementary or or parallel, uh, I should say, positions, whether it's from the public diplomacy sort of thing view, or other perspectives.

For me, I guess on a day-to-day basis, I look at the innovation from the economic side. >> Mhm. >> How to help companies, how to help the Israeli economy, >> Mhm. >> how to help the Israeli resilience using Israeli economy. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> I guess this is basically what I do. >> Mhm. short version, maybe it's something like, you can give for companies some tools and knowledge about tax policies, etc., in abroad countries, and you can help doing some some business. >> Yes, but but also it'll be hard for us to know the whole tax policies of all the countries abroad, but what we will make sure is that if an Israeli company wants to be active somewhere in the world, >> Mhm. >> that we will do everything to every Israeli company.

We don't differentiate, we work with everyone. To help them open the doors and and understand who do you should talk to about whether it's tax issues or everything, and And this is why we have our embassies around the world. So, they are there then they can help Israeli companies. >> Mhm. >> Um it's it's not different from what any other country is doing with their embassies. >> I think the only thing here is that we do have a lot of focus on tech and innovation. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Okay.

Uh I have spoken several times with the Slovak scientist and professor of robotics and automation of Ferro Duchoň who highlighted the Yissum research and business ecosystem operating in Hebrew University of Jerusalem. And do you think this successful model and story could also be applied in Slovakia? And what makes it unique? >> Well, absolutely. Well, first of all, you did your homework. >> [laughter] >> It's a really advanced stage to get to.

You're You're referencing Yissum. Uh Yissum, it's the branch of the Hebrew University. I'm by the way I studied my uh bachelor's and master's in the Hebrew University. I know very well Yissum and um The important thing to know is that every university in Israel has this program. >> Mhm. >> It's not just Yissum. We can go over not just university, but academic institutes. They all have this model where you can take an idea that being is being researched and you can finance it and and start monetizing it in a way. >> Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh this is part of what we talked of. >> [laughter] >> Mhm. >> Uh this is the idea of innovation. And And it's There are so many talented people in Yissum and in all the universities working specifically on this because the idea is that those good ideas shouldn't stay on the academic shelves. It's The ivory tower is nice, but we want to take the idea to the field. And sometimes the academics, the researchers, they don't know how to do it.

So, there is an investment. At first, I think it was in the '90s. It's It's not happening anymore, but there was I think it's not. I might be wrong, but um I think during the '90s there was a large involvement of the government as well in those programs. Uh now those programs are so profitable, they cycle themselves the profits. So, um they take the idea, early growth, pre-seed, they help the idea find financers. There are There are venture funds already working within the universities finding those ideas, financing it.

Um and going through all the stages until it becomes a company. >> Uh from so slow places it's a little bit unbelievable that uh uh scientific research and all about it can make income about billions dollars. It's crazy because also in our scientific platform we have many talented people, but usually all >> [sighs] >> about research finally is without monetizing. And it's also problem in Europe, I think. Mhm. Because also I listened about story.

I don't remember exactly if it was what from from Netherlands or some something like this countries from north of Europe. And there was some some big research and finally this research transform or or transport to the USA because here was many problems about legislative letters and policy in European Union. So, sometimes we kill our potential, I think. I don't know if it's true, but it looks like this. >> I I I cannot comment about European legislation.

I I would only I would only say that it's it's also Of course, there's a difference about how you view also in terms of how social >> strictly environment is is here. >> Yes, yes. Well, of course, there when when you try to reduce bureaucracy and to to develop and to encourage ingenuity innovation, I guess it could help. Um I I would I would say that um to add to your point, it even goes deeper in Israel than the academy. >> Mhm. >> Because a lot of the ideas, they come even earlier than academy.

I I I've mentioned at the beginning of the podcast, the military service. And I I ideas that come there and if they're good ideas, then if it's um if it can become um privatized, monetized, then there are many good industries and developments on that aspect as well. And this is why we have uh very strong um research units in the military and um I guess this is why many of the venture capital, VCs, coming to Israel. And we have the largest just there in Israel.

Um They themselves already work with people who came from those units. So, so the ingenuity, yes, it's very big in the academy and it was a very good example, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. But it goes, I guess, in every aspect. If we go earlier in terms of a young adult growing up, him he if he was into it, he could have met this in the military. Then he could have met meet this in university. And in private life.

So we're we're we're trying to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship. >> Yeah. >> MSMEs, micro, small, medium-sized enterprises. >> Since its establishment, Israel has faced attacks and has had to defend self. The courage of Israel is often compared to the courage of Ukraine. You served in Ukraine shortly before the war. How do you perceive the current situation today? >> Well, this is this is a >> It might be sensitive >> It's no, it's okay.

It's It's definitely fine. I can say I can start with the fact that I really enjoyed my time in Ukraine. I found Ukrainians to be very welcoming and um I was deputy head of mission there for 3 years. And my wife was spokesperson there. >> Mhm. >> So we both were lucky to have meaningful work there. And I enjoyed every aspect of of life in Ukraine, professional. Ukraine is a very close country to Israel in terms of uh people-to-people.

We have a lot of migrants >> Mhm. >> coming from Ukraine. And um So in terms of work, we had many delegations and many high-level visits. Uh private life like Kiev was fantastic. It was amazing for us. It's the city where we had our first daughter and it was It was a very good experience to live there as a young family. Um all all all I can say is that I really hope that the situation will be resolved for the best in Ukraine.

Uh there are so many friends uh I have there that uh I really hope uh I could return to where they're from. Uh sadly I had a good friend there that I met that uh died in the war. Um and uh yeah. I mean we Israelis we we we are ourselves in this situation for almost 3 years now of of of of uh geopolitical strife of of of war uh situation of uh conflict. Um it's not easy uh so of course we we we can understand the hardships. >> Mhm.

In your opinion uh how has uh the international perception of Israel changed since the October 7th uh 2023? >> Yeah. Well, October 7th, 2023 uh was a very hard day for us. Um it's a very complex question uh and I'm I'm grateful to have this uh comfortable setting to discuss it. Uh but before I can talk about any international perception when you mentioned October 7th, I have to speak about Israeli perception. And this is a trauma for Israelis. >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Sorry.

This is a traumatic uh event for every Israeli. Uh I don't think there is one Israeli who didn't know someone who had a friend who knew someone. I mean, we're uh we like to think of us as a small country, but then I looked we were 10 million and Slovakia is a little bit more than 5 million. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> But we still look at ourselves as a small country. Well, at least in terms of geopolitical size, you are more than twice our size.

So, I guess it balances it out. Uh but yeah, every every Israeli uh was affected by October 7. And um >> [clears throat] >> and and I think it wasn't it wasn't an easy path for us since um one of those hard frontiers that we had to to encounter is the one that you're mentioning in your question, which is the international community. I was in a very interesting position to see that. I was working in the UN for the Israeli mission, working at the UN.

And I've [snorts] seen the rhetoric and the and the criticism. And I and this is something very interesting because October 7 happened and I remember it was October 8 8th or 9th. You could already see demonstrations in New York against the Israeli consulate mission. They were ready. Nothing still happened in Gaza. We're talking about the days that there were terrorists inside Israel and we were trying to to to control the situation.

But there were already demonstrations mocking the Israelis, making faces of crying. And and I saw it. I was there in New York and it was it was very hard and and I could see it first hand that this turf, the international arena turf, it was already set to to really try and work. And and and I and I can understand it because you could see that in terms of of our [snorts] military resilience people Israelis that were traveling Latin America the moment it happened they were trying to find airplanes to come back to Israel to enlist as reservists.

So the the social cohesion of Israel um is very strong. So we know that on this end we got a call >> Mhm. >> We know that technologically military advancement we can protect our borders and I think ever since we proved it. Ever since October 7th. Um It's one area where there is a majority against us in terms of numbers in terms of those who who try to to criticize um Israel is that territory of which you are referring to.

So it's only natural that a lot of >> Mhm. >> effort would be put on that stage. Uh but I think that it helped us to see who are our real friends are. First and foremost we we have to say that the United States was was and is there supporting Israel and we're grateful uh for the American support. Uh but we also found partners and good friends that were when October 7th happened were very friendly and comforting and understanding the situation we're in.

And I think Slovakia is a very good friend and and I think we're very grateful and you could see it in the level of high-level visits that we have between Israel and Slovakia. Just last year, we had the foreign minister visiting here. A year before that, we had our president visiting here. Your prime minister visiting Israel. And I would add that another layer that we're very much excited about is that we see a new Middle East developed.

We see friends from within the Middle East. We see partnerships under the Abraham Accords and other initiatives led by the United States and regional actors in the Middle East that actually turned the picture upside down. Because we see that trade with between Israel and Middle Eastern countries since October 7th grew. This is phenomenal in my opinion. It's actually grew from October 7th till today. So, we have good partners in the Middle East that understand that the path to stability and prosperity in the Middle East is through cooperation with the United States and Israel. >> Mhm.

Uh when you talked about your experience from from USA from New York. >> Yes. >> Uh 8 October just one day after this this trauma. >> Yeah. >> Uh it sounds like professional protesters platform. >> Yes. >> Because I can't believe that normal common people could be so so quickly switch from the from the this this trauma and seeing this trauma on the online platforms. >> Because there was many pictures, many videos. Uh so, it's hard to believe that this was just uh uh >> spontaneous some some efforts spontaneous efforts to protest.

So, uh maybe we can glue to the next question. Because from both my personal and journalistic perspective, Israel appears to be losing the informational war. And more and more people seem to adopt pro-Palestinian views by default, perceiving Israel as the aggressor. What is the most challenging aspect of being a diplomat representing your country during this wartime? Because it's continuous. >> No, you're absolutely right.

You're absolutely right, and this is the the exact follow-up question one one should ask. This isn't chess. We and the opponents don't get the same pieces, and then we can have the game. Um, in this battleground, the opponent has a lot more pieces than us. >> Mhm. >> Because we're talking about social media. Social media is numbers. Social media is uh also delves into the gray area of how you develop the bots, things that we in the ministry, for example, we don't do.

We don't we don't develop farm bots or something like this. Uh so >> And emotionally loaded as with with AI and so on. >> Exactly, exactly. So so we're not playing on the same turf. >> Mhm. >> And you're absolutely right. We can see the the swing, the shift, and and and the way public opinion was shaped since. And and it's something that is very hard to to work against, but we have some core principles that we're not willing to to change.

So we we will we will try and we will work very hard to share with the world what is happening uh from a place of truth, from a place of honesty. And yes, it's harder. It's harder to work like this. You don't get the numbers and and and from the beginning I mean people are trying to separate it. And I've heard it so many times in the UN. So, it's it's automatically jumps. People are saying uh they're talking about anti-Semitism, which is different from anti-Zionism, which is wrong.

It's the same thing. >> I think so. >> It's the same It's exactly the same thing just with another uh >> It's uh something just like uh game of words. >> Exactly. Exactly. And and and and we have to talk about anti-Semitism when when we ask this question. And I think anti-Semitism plays a lot here because I think that there are many places where anti-Semitism is still widespread and where those ideas and those half-truths or full lies they are easier to spread.

Uh and in those places um it's hard for us to to to to bring the full detail and and to explain it. But listen, this is not a um this is not an area where where we let go. We work very hard and our minister our foreign minister Gideon Saar has put it on as an one of the top objective of our ministry to really work hard to bring the full picture, to bring the full story, to bring the true story in every way, in every place we can.

And his um his guidelines have uh full backing what budgetary, you mention it, whatever we need to work on it in a way that that really improves the situation. Are we in in a good place right now in terms of public opinion? You're right. Probably not the best. But I think we're in the right direction in terms of of understanding how we can work on it. And I think also there are developments, geopolitical developments, whether it's regional in the Middle East or in general, where people around the world are seeing that what was perceived as Israel's problem is not only Israel's problem.

Um and and I think it's important to understand that. Um and to understand that we share the same set of values, of ideals that we need to protect together. And I think this is where the story should start. We're doing uh we we understand that this um area is something that we we need to work on. And um I think that uh this is not something that we will neglect anytime soon. >> Mhm. >> We have valuable, good friends around the world that proved their friendship over the last difficult years.

And I think together with our like-minded uh partners, um Look, listen, it's not the first time that we Israelis uh had to to withstand such pressure. I can mention the '70s, I can mention other periods. We're resilient. We're tough. We're not going anywhere. So. >> Maybe just my my uh appendix about anti-Semitism and uh >> [sighs and gasps] >> um environment, political environment in nowadays in Europe. >> Yeah. >> It's a maybe a little bit chaotic and ambivalent.

We used to recognize anti-Semitism usually by right parties, radical parties, and now it looks like more lefties. >> It's a horseshoe theory. >> [laughter] >> It's something like >> The The extremist of both sides will reach anti-Semitism. >> Yeah. >> Yes, it's true. It's true. This is why I'm saying that it anti-Semitism is not an issue of of a certain religion. God forbid. No. It's not of a certain political view. God forbid.

It's of some extremism that you have that you have to find a scapegoat, that you have to find an excuse, and then you find anti-Semitism is something very convincing. >> Mhm. Okay. We try to finish this interview with more positive >> Yes, please. Let's do it. [laughter] >> things. >> Yeah. >> So, where do you see concrete potential opportunities for cooperation between Israel and Slovakia? Are there already any specific joint projects underway in the fields of science and research, or it's just for this moment imagination and large view >> Yeah. >> for the future? >> No, that's an excellent question and a very good one to finish with.

So, I >> I agree with you on that one. Um Maybe to answer that, I would like to point a picture of of some very key aspects in terms of our cooperation. First of all, we cannot neglect the fact that Slovakia is part of the EU. And EU is the largest trading partner of Israel. >> Mhm. >> You would think there is the United States. You would think there is China in terms of all the trade that they they export China has.

And of course the United States are ally but no, the the European Union is all if you combine all the countries of the 27 then it's the number one country. And the reason for that is simple, it's proximity, time zones, market demands and supply. So Slovakia is a very good partner of Israel is also a very good you can call it a bridge, a gate. And and this is how we should we should view the fact that it's not just Slovakia.

Slovakia brings 27 countries which are the largest trading partner of Israel. And and part of this union we have the European Union Israel Association Agreement. So this is a very important part of the equation. Then we're talking about the fact that um there is some complementarity here in terms of economy because our highest relative advantage is in R&D. There is strong R&D in Slovakia and there are many other pieces of the puzzle of Slovakia that that that the world needs in in that field but they think that another very strong relative advantage is also compared to Israel is the industry here. >> Mhm. >> The industry here is very strong.

I think per capita you're a number one in the world or something like that I heard. >> In automotive for >> Yes. That that's fantastic figures. And and and I I when you say automotive you it's not just it's immediately more than automotive because for automotive you have to have high end engineers, you have to have factories, you have to have robotics, you have to have so many things that can be also used for other aspects as well. >> Yeah. >> For other industries.

So, the fact that we need a place and an expertise for industry and there is a desire here for R&D makes it a very nice matching. Um and then I would say that there is a whole list of important elements that can work together from MedTech. We can There is a lot we want to share. And MedTech, it's not just the digitalization of the health sector. >> Uh-huh. >> We're talking about emergency as well, preparedness, rehabilitation.

This is a whole field that uh we're really excited about exploring. Um And also, from what I understand, uh >> [clears throat] >> there is a big effort and investment by uh Slovakian government to improve uh infrastructures in Slovakia. Uh genuine effort and work going on into it. And I think there are many Israeli companies that will be very happy to be part of of this cooperation, to find ways to to bring projects into fruition.

Um so, so I I think yeah, the potential is huge. I know that right now today, it depends on where you take the numbers from, where whether it's from the bureaus of statistics or from uh trade uh international trade uh data, but it's like somewhere between 200 and 300 millions uh million euros uh per year. Um trade, I'm talking about. Uh but just mentioning the the the projects and the ideas I've mentioned could easily double it, if not more.

So, yeah. >> Um maybe just some some number if you have. Uh you talk about the that the yes EU is the really interesting trade or or market >> Yes. >> for Israel. So, how maybe some numbers about gross domestic product in export to Europe Union from Israel? Uh do you have some some numbers or percentage from uh gross domestic product? >> here. Let's see. I I I think I can remember it, but I urge the viewers to go online and check it as well. >> Okay. >> I was instructed to not use my phone here now at the podcast. >> [laughter] >> No, but I think it's with with the EU in terms of volume, and I'm talking about commodities and services. >> Mhm. >> Um it's more than 50 billion dollars. >> Mhm. >> Yes.

I think it might reach 60 if we talk about services as well. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Gross so model. >> And you don't remember how about Slovakia and Israel? >> No, Slovakia and Israel is between 200 and 300 million. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Where the majority is as you said automotive export to Israel. I would say that the service part is still relatively small. And there is a lot of room to develop because when I'm talking about service, I'm talking about high-tech. >> Yeah. >> And in terms of high-tech for all the reasons I've mentioned earlier, there is room to double triple those digits.

I hope so. >> [laughter] >> Okay. I hope that for for listeners we finished this interview more positively. >> Yes. >> Like like some some questions. >> I can finish it even more positively. Sorry to interrupt you. >> Okay, you can you can try. >> I I will [laughter] try it. But but I have to say that uh as a football fan, I have to be very thankful for Marek Hamšík >> Mhm. >> and Lobotka and Škriniar. So, I pronounced the name right? >> Yeah, I think all can understand. >> And and and I think uh I I I was told that Slovakia is very beautiful because it's my first time visiting here.

And right now I was just traveling with car and I can definitely say that it's so green and beautiful. But I really want to see Slovakian sports because sports is something that's very interesting to me and there's so many good players here. So, uh maybe this is my next objective after economics here to try and find a good game. >> Okay. So, uh thank you very much for this interview and uh maybe next time we can uh talk about AI. >> Right. >> Because uh I think it's for people interesting and also for me it's interesting.

Uh because uh this this field I think is uh our future and we can uh recognize what is uh really useful and what is uh not good. But >> [laughter] >> So, next time maybe. >> Absolutely. Happy to. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. >> [music]