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PERIMETER BUSINESS
Q+A on trade with Israel: 'Metro Atlanta and the
Perimeter area ... are among the favored locations'
Q How did the American-Israel Chamber of
Commerce’s Southeast Region get its start?
Why was it created? Has its purpose changed through
the years?
/\ AICC was organized in 1992 through the sup-
'* port of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
and the Consulate General of Israel. The original impe
tus was to help Israel absorb the huge number of new
immigrants (mostly from the Soviet Union, but also
from other countries, including Ethiopia) by stimulat
ing business relationships geared for the U.S. market as
a way to create jobs in Israel.
Over the years, the mission has changed into much
more of a mutual benefit as many new jobs were also
created in the Southeast through our programs and
initiatives. Since our founding over 21 years ago, the
chamber has been involved in completed transactions
between Southeast and Israeli companies valued at over
$1 billion.
The Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) is now
one of the top five centers of activity for Israeli compa
nies, and most of the major corporations in our region
do business in Israel or with Israeli companies.
Q The American-Israeli chamber’s Southeastern
U.S. regional office is in Sandy Springs. What
brought its operations here?
/\ I have lived in Sandy Springs since moving to the
** Atlanta area in 1992 to start AICC. Originally,
we were in the Jewish Federation’s office in Midtown,
and then next to the consulate’s office on Spring Street.
In 2000, we moved the office to Lake Hearn Drive, just
inside the Perimeter, and four years ago, we relocated to
The Pointe on Northridge Road, just off Ga. 400. It is
a very convenient location for our members, guests and
Israelis who are visiting the area.
Q How are business relations between Israel and
Georgia, and the Southeastern United States
Tom Glaser has been president of the
American-Israel Chamber of Commerce’s
Southeast Region since its founding
in 1992. He recently announced his
plans to retire from the post.
now? How have they changed over the last two de
cades?
/\ Business relations are excellent. We have a great
* * deal to offer Israeli companies as they look to en
ter the U.S. market through the Atlanta-Southeast por
tal. Our local and state governments, economic devel
opment agencies, and technology associations are great
partners, and we can open doors for them to potential
strategic partners, investors and customers.
As compared to 20 years ago, Israel is now a technol
ogy entrepreneurship powerhouse — the “Start Up Na
tion.” We can learn a lot from the Israelis as we seek to
develop our own economic base in the Southeast. And
local companies are now quite receptive to the idea that
“if it came from Israel, you ought to take a good look
at it.” This was certainly not the case when we started.
What attracts Israeli businesses to Georgia?
/\ Number one is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Inter-
'* national Airport. With their global orientation,
Israeli companies need easy air access, which Atlanta
provides throughout the Americas. Our costs of living
and doing business are also significantly lower than the
other regions they typically consider (primarily Boston,
New York and Silicon Valley). We have one of the coun
try’s fastest-growing Jewish communities, and also a
sizeable Israeli community in Atlanta.
What sort of Georgia businesses succeed in Is
rael?
/\ The Coca-Cola Co. was the first major Georgia
'* company to dominate the Israeli market, and
through the years, Coca-Cola has earned the reputation
as Israel’s most respected brand. Subsequently The Co
ca-Cola Co. has been mining Israel for technologies re
lated to ingredients, water, energy and the supply chain.
BellSouth (now AT&T) was another big winner in
the Israeli market when they established Israel’s second
mobile company Cellcom, in 1994, and subsequently
sold their interest at a huge profit. AT&T also taps into
Israeli technology and has one of their four Foundry
operations in Ra’anana, Atlanta’s sister city in Israel.
NCR just acquired an Israeli company Retalix,
for $650 million, and this was our 2013 Deal of the
Year. But it’s not just the huge Georgia corporations
that benefit by doing business with Israel. We’re see
ing small and medium-sized enterprises succeed in Isra
el and partner with Israeli companies.
Q How did metro Atlanta become one of the
top five centers in the country for Israeli
company activity?
/\ About 35 of [the Israeli businessses in Geor-
'* gia] are in metro Atlanta, and the Perimeter
area, Roswell, and Alpharetta are among the favored lo
cations. Atlanta has been a favored location for them as
a result of our efforts through the years, working with
our economic development partners, to promote the
area to Israeli companies and service them through our
“headquarters” programs that provide an easy landing.
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