Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Thursday with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who arrived in Israel for a short visit to celebrate 25 years since the high-tech giant started its operations in Israel.
The two men discussed the close cooperation between Israel and Microsoft and noted the company’s development center’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Netanyahu made it clear there will be as few restrictions as possible on cyber technology exports and said that the prosperity of the industry is very important for Israel.
Nadella noted Microsoft’s commitment to Israel, its investments in the local market and its commitment to the continued growth of the high-tech and innovation industry in Israel. This finds expression in assistance programs for start-ups, introducing advanced technologies to all sectors of the economy, promoting science and technology, and education in computers and mathematics.
“We are marking 25 years of cooperation between Microsoft and the State of Israel. We should now chart the next 25 years,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel is a center of great technological innovation; Microsoft is a great technological company. It’s a marriage made in heaven, but recognized here on earth.”
Nadella said it was “a real pleasure to be in Israel,” and agreed with Netanyahu that “the 25 years have been a fantastic 25 years, and we look forward to 25 more.”
Microsoft founded its original research and development operation in Haifa, in 1991, “harnessing Israel’s deep technological talent pool and its thriving High-Tech community,” as Microsoft wrote on its official site. Today, the center’s activity is strategically situated in two main locations – Herzliya and Haifa, “where its charter and vision continue to constantly grow.”
