KATHMANDU: Israel has called on Asian countries, including Nepal to sign free trade agreements with it at the earliest.

Gilad Cohen, the Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel urged Asian countries – the most important and fastest growing economies in the world — to sign free trade agreements with Israel.

Addressing a conference of international journalists through Zoom, he said Israel boasts capacities in tech and innovation, elite technologies in the fields of innovation, cyber-security, agriculture, medicine and science, and an easygoing business environment and a liberal economy.

“We have a smooth and great relations with Nepal,” he said adding, “We hope to do things together in sectors such as agriculture, science and technology with Nepal,” he added responding to this scribe’s query during the Zoom conference on “The Face of Asia and Israel-Asia Relations: Challenges and Opportunities on Wednesday”.

He also stated that all these elements will lead to an opportunity to substantially expand the trade volume between Israel and Asian countries.

Stating that Asia has remained the central driving force behind the world’s economic growth, he said Israel will sign free trade agreements with South Korea, China, Vietnam, India and Japan soon.

“The environment in Israel is conducive for investments in sectors such as agriculture, technology, and we are trying to bring companies from Asia in energy sector, among others,” he said adding that Israel is opening up, explore and export gas an energy in 2021.

“We urge Asian countries to come to Israel,” he said.

Likewise, he also stated that the country is opening direct flights to India and China urging Asian tourists and workers to come to Israel.

Stating that the country would welcome workers from Asian countries, including Nepal, he said Israel would like to share the experience, knowledge and achievements with them.

It may be noted that very recently Israel’s Foreign Ministry inaugurated its first “Asia-Pacific Day” in which its Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi had signed some bilateral agreements with Asian countries, and hosted ambassadors from 11 Asian-Pacific states, based in Israel.

The basis behind the agreements was to create jobs for the Israeli economy, assist exporters, and expand foreign direct investment and inbound tourism.