During President Javier Milei's official visit to Israel, Foreign Minister Diana Mondino held several meetings with local companies in Tel Aviv. Discussions focused on business opportunities, investments, and economic cooperation between Argentina and Israel.
Firstly, the Foreign Minister held a working meeting with the executives of the startup eToro - an investment platform founded in 2007 - which included Yoni Assia (founder & CEO); Meron Shani (CFO); Tali Salomon, (Spanish and Portuguese Region Manager); Ezequiel Joison (Head of Content and Social Media, Spanish and Portuguese Region).
The Minister explained that the Foreign Ministry promotes the internationalization of Argentine startups, a sector that has grown significantly in recent years and whose exports are increasing due to talent and creativity. In addition, she pointed out that several of these firms are regional leaders able to compete globally in the so-called “knowledge economy.” For this reason, Mondino and eToro executives agreed that a rapid and decisive boost should be given to the cooperation and complementation of technology companies from Argentina and Israel.
Mondino later met with executives of XtraLit, an Israeli startup that develops a method of direct extraction of lithium from aqueous resources, and which is in the process of selecting projects for the acquisition, production and generation of lithium added value in Argentina.
She spoke with Simon Litsyn (Co-Founder & CEO), Marina Akselrod (Co-Founder & VP of Administration), and Gerardo Tyszberowicz (Director for Latin America) about the technology that the company applies in several litiferous resources worldwide including several salt flats in Argentina. In this regard, the company has already gained extensive experience in the extraction of lithium from aqueous sources, particularly in the Dead Sea.
During the meeting, XtraLit confirmed its plans to open its first laboratory in Argentina in 2024 and hire local scientific staff to execute these projects. According to the company, XtraLit's technology -due to its capacity to extract the metal even from reserves with very low concentration- could allow an increase in lithium production in Argentina and add economic value to unexploited areas in provinces other than Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy.
Mondino also had a working meeting with executives from Mekorot, the state water company of Israel, a leading country in water management worldwide. During the meeting with Yitzhak Aharonovich, Chairman of the company; Amit Lang, CEO, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Daniel Soffer, Deputy CEO and VP Operations and Maintenance, and Diego Berger, Director of International Cooperation, they discussed the agreements signed during 2022 and 2023 so that seven Argentine provinces (Catamarca, Formosa, La Rioja, Río Negro, San Juan, Mendoza and Santa Cruz) receive assistance for efficient water management through projects funded by the Federal Investment Council (CFI).
Israel has been a reference country in water management for decades. Mekorot has carried out cooperation and investment actions in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Bahrain, India, Mexico, Cyprus, Azerbaijan and Argentina.
Furthermore, Mondino held a meeting with the economist Leonardo Leiderman, Chief Economic Advisor of Israel’s largest commercial bank, Banco Hapoalim. She discussed Argentina’s delicate economic and financial context and the opportunities arising from the political changes introduced by the new administration. They also talked about stabilization programs and especially Israel’s successful inflation reduction plan on which the economist has worked.
Born in Argentina and a citizen of Israel, Professor Leiderman is a leading expert on monetary policy and emerging market economics, having advised several central banks and finance ministries, including those of Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Honduras, Czech Republic, Poland, Georgia and Turkey.
As a highlight of her agenda, Mondino accompanied President Milei in a meeting with relatives of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, some of whom are Argentine nationals.
Lastly, at the Argentine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Mondino received CEOs from major Israeli tech companies such as Aviad Eyal (Entrée Capital), Chen Amit (Tipalti), Assaf Heffetz (Snyk); Yair Amit (Skycure); Alon Gamzu (Roundforest); Danny Leshem (INT3); Yair Amit (Skycure); Gerardo Tyszberowicz (Tachles); and Gabriel Chocron (Conexion Israel).
The representatives of these startups expressed their interest in enhancing contacts with their Argentine counterparts, which develop enormous potential both in the generation of value and employment as well as in export capacity. The Minister assured the Foreign Ministry’s full support, through Argentine representations in the world, so that these companies open new markets and strengthen Argentina's profile as a global knowledge exporter
