New York governor, mayor to participate in Israeli economy conference in Puerto Rico
By : CARIBBEAN BUSINESS ONLINE STAFF
New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will arrive Thursday in Puerto Rico to deliver lectures as part of a conference on the Israeli experience in the management of public debt and economic development.
Cuomo and De Blasio will first take part in the march demanding U.S. Congress action to avoid multimillion-dollar funding cuts to Medicare and Medicaid programs on the island.
The politicians will be visiting along with the Consul General of Israel to New York, Ambassador Ido Aharoni. The trio will be at a Somos el Futuro (We are the Future) Conference event at the Rosa Mexicano restaurant in Puerta de Tierra's Paseo Caribe at 8 p.m.
An Israeli delegation comprising water tech companies, government representatives and financial experts are attending the conference, which began Wednesday.
Somos el Futuro holds conferences in New York and Puerto Rico that include public and private sector representatives from the state and commonwealth. There are numerous workshops, discussions and panels addressing various issues with relevance to Puerto Rico.
A communication released by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that Israel has a special relationship with the Hispanic communities in the mainland U.S. and Puerto Rico. “They face similar challenges ranging from immigration absorption, second language learning, youth and health issues.
“Through the years, strengthening our mutual understanding and bonds, there have been multiple delegation exchanges between Israel and Hispanic communities in the realms of business, culture, education and media. Highlighting this bond, Israel is the only non-Hispanic nation hosting an official event at the conference,” it adds.
The breakfast reception, “Israel y Latinos en la Amistad”(“Israel and Latinos in Friendship”) will be moderated by Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., with presentations by Aharoni, and the representatives of the Israeli water-tech companies.
“Israel is aware of the strenuous water situation in Puerto Rico, more so during the recent months when the government was forced to start rationing water due to the little rainfall. Our key initiative is to introduce Puerto Rican leaders to Israeli water technologies that can help ameliorate the growing water crisis on the island.
“Also concerning is the difficult economic situation for which the president of Israel Bonds, Izzy Tapoohi, can share insight on financial topics,” the conference statement reads.
The water-tech companies present are IDE Technologies, Krauz Industries and Star Controls. Israeli delegations from the Consulate General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico, the Consulate General of Israel to New York and Israel’s Economic mission to the U.S. Southern Region, Houston, will also be participating.