In a significant move to strengthen international ties, Israel is actively expanding its economic footprint in Cebu. Consequently, this new push signals fresh commitments in pivotal sectors like technology, artificial intelligence ( water management, and tourism. Ultimately, this initiative aims to rebuild trade flows that were disrupted by the Middle East conflict.
Recently, during a series of meetings with Cebuano industry leaders, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh emphasized her government’s keen interest in forging stronger partnerships with the local business community. Specifically, these collaborations will focus on innovation-driven sectors.
The engagement culminated in a meeting between Ambassador Kursh and executives of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), led by President Jay Y. Yuvallos, to map out new areas of cooperation. In her remarks, Kursh stated that Israel sees a “significant opportunity to create a deeper bond with Cebu.” She further cited the province’s growing role as a central hub for technology, education, and tourism in the Visayas.
To elaborate, she emphasized Israel’s readiness to share its globally recognized expertise in several key areas. These include AI development, water technology, cybersecurity, and agri-tech.
Furthermore, Israel is eyeing closer collaboration in education technology. For instance, Kursh said the country can support Cebu’s efforts to strengthen its education infrastructure through AI-driven learning tools, specialized teacher training, and advanced digital systems designed to improve learning outcomes. “There is strong potential for Cebu and Israel to work together in building quality education anchored on innovation,” she affirmed.
This renewed initiative is particularly timely, as Philippines-Israel trade has weakened due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In response, Kursh suggested that boosting Cebu’s visibility in tourism and investments could help restore positive momentum in bilateral exchanges. As a result, she pledged Israel’s support in strategically positioning Cebu as a key destination for Israeli travelers and investors.
Importantly, this latest engagement is not an isolated event; rather, it forms part of a broader effort to deepen ties built over the past decade. For example, a Cebu-led trade mission several years ago established direct ties with Israeli technology firms and government hubs, thereby laying the groundwork for today’s collaboration.
The historical foundation for this partnership is strong. Cebu and Israel have long maintained active tourism and business exchanges. To illustrate, in 2016, Israeli tour operators visited Cebu in a familiarization tour, boosting inbound leisure travel. Subsequently, tourism roadshows in 2017 and 2018 further promoted cross-border flows.
Moreover, engagements continued through the pandemic years. From 2021 to 2022, the Israel Embassy’s Economic Mission facilitated agritech webinars and workshops in Cebu. These sessions covered modern irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, and fishery innovation, which strengthened knowledge-sharing between Cebu stakeholders and Israeli firms.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Kursh confirmed that Israel is committed to elevating these partnerships as Cebu positions itself for renewed growth. “Our cooperation with Cebu has a strong foundation,” she noted. “Therefore, we intend to build on this momentum, expand our collaboration, and ensure both our communities benefit from innovation, trade, and shared opportunities.”
When examining the data, the potential for growth is clear. Bilateral merchandise trade between the Philippines and Israel totaled $400.42 million in 2024, down by 16.3 percent from the previous year. However, net foreign direct investments from Israel told a more promising story, standing at P45.94 million in 2024—a notable 23.5-percent increase from the prior year.
