An Interview with Ephraim Shoham - Israel’s Trade Commissioner in Canada, 2003 - 2007
Ephraim Shoham was nominated as Israel’s Trade Commissioner in Canada in September 2003 and ended his tenure in August 2007. Mr. Shoham’s professional experience began in 1965 when he joined the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). He then joined Israel’s Ministry of Defense, in charge of Research and Development programs, coordinating multi-disciplinary projects with Israeli and foreign entities. He retired from the IDF with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Over a period of 17 years he worked at Israel’s Industrial Cooperation Authority (ICA), entrusted with monitoring, initiating and supporting industrial cooperation activities between Israeli industry and foreign suppliers. From 1990 - 1994 he served as Consul and U.S. Director of the ICA in New York, responsible for industrial cooperation between Israel, USA and Canada. Then from 1996 - 2003, he held the position of Director General of the ICA. Mr. Shoham holds an MBA from the University of New Haven. He attended the Open University, the Israeli Labor Productivity Institute, and the Israeli Defense Force’s Academy of Command and Management. He also attended Bar Ilan University where he received his BA in Public Administration and Political Science. Mr. Shoham is married to Ariela and they have three children.
Israel ’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Foreign Trade Admin.
Yaron Bazaz: Hi Ephraim. Two month ago you ended your four years nomination as the Israel’s Trade Commissioner in Canada (2003 -2007). How you sum up your tenure?
Ephraim Shoham: “For me to come to Canada was a great challenge, considering the insufficient level of trade between to two countries. Israel and Canada tend to focus their trade efforts toward other markets. Israel export mainly to Europe and the US and the Canadian industry sell almost solely to the US and not to other countries, including Israel So in those four years I can say the level of trade increase dramatically. Now the level of trade is more than 1.2 billion USD a year which is more then double the level 4 years ago (and not including a one billion US $ a year in Israeli investment in Canadian real estate y.b).”
Y.B: Which sector demonstrated the most rapid growth?
Ephraim Shoham: “I can say that it’s spared over almost every sector from consumer products, software, telecom, medical devices security and more. In each field you can see the same level of growth on those years.”
Y.B: As the Trade Commissioner, what where your main objectives?
Ephraim Shoham: “My main objectives were to expose business opportunities in Canada to Israeli companies and the same for Canadian companies - to attract them with business opportunities in Israel. Another main objective was to connect companies from the both countries and promote joint ventures.”
Y.B: How you examine your level of success with achieving those objectives?
Ephraim Shoham: “First, part of the bilateral trade’s growth is related to my office activity. Secondly I have plenty examples of business activities which started between Israeli and Canadian firms during the last four years. One nice example from Vancouver would be the investment of a domestic industrialist Ron Stern who bought Israeli technology incubator, an investment that was encouraged by our relationship two years ago.”
Y.B: How you find the openness of the Canadian market and business community for trade and collaboration with Israeli exporters?
Ephraim Shoham: “Canadians are relatively conservative, but ready to listen and to examine new technologies. Once they convenience that a new technology will assist them with their business they are willing to purchase and install that technology.”
Y.B: For the North American investors - what are the most lucrative parameters of the Israeli economy?
Ephraim Shoham: “They North American investors encouraged by the fact the Israeli economy is pretty strong and they don’t hesitate to collaborate with Israeli firms for any kind of joint ventures, in Israel or around the globe. Especially in cases when the Israeli partner has already access to foreign markets and they don’t.”
Y.B: During the last couples of years we are witnessing vital activities of Israeli investors at the Canadian real estate market. Do you expect that trend to maintain or even expand for investments in other Canadian sectors?
Ephraim Shoham: “As long as the Israeli investors will be convenience the real estate market in Canada will continue to flourish and to be profitable they will continue to invest. Part of my activities was to expose Israeli companies to business opportunities in Canada. The Real Estate’s investment can definitely open the door for other Israeli investment in Canada.”
Y.B: The Toronto Stock Exchange - TSX launched during the last year a massive campaign in Israel in order to promote their offering for the Israeli hi tech companies. Will we see some first Israeli IPO’s in Canada this year? Do you feel the TXS have a value proposition that could compete with NASDAQ, London AIM and Tel Aviv Stock exchange?
Ephraim Shoham: “I know they are at least five Israeli firms that had discussions with the TSX about having IPO in Toronto and it very likely that some of them will be traded in the TSX in the following six months.”
Y.B: Do you feel the TXS have a value proposition that could compete with NASDAQ, London AIM and Tel Aviv Stock exchange?
Ephraim Shoham: “Yes I do believe so. The TSX’s registration pre requisitions are easier to accomplish for foreigners companies, including Israelis. It could be their competitive advantage.”
Y.B: Back in Israel, what next for you Ephraim?
Ephraim Shoham: “I moved to the private sector trying to develop business ties between North American and Israeli firms, assisting with establishment of strong, flourishing transatlantic businesses”
Y.B: Will you focus on a specific sector or serve a wide spectrum of clients?
Ephraim Shoham: “I have extensive experience with the Israeli technology industry and good familiarity with the North American industry and markets. Based on my experience in the last 4 years in Canada and previously in the US and other countries I believe I can assist companies in different technology sectors including consumer products, hi tech, medical devices, homeland security and more.”
Y.B: Thanks a lot Ephraim and good luck with your new career
Ephraim Shoham: “You are very welcome and I wish you hag Sameach and Shana Tova (y.b: greeting for the New Hebrew Year).”
