Sanders Signs Economic Cooperation Agreement Between the State of Arkansas and the National Technological Innovation Authority of the State of Israel

JERUSALEM, Israel – On Wednesday, August 6, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the State of Arkansas and the State of Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority.

The text of the agreement is below:
 
Recognizing the longstanding friendship and shared values between the State of Arkansas and the State of Israel; 
 
Affirming the mutual interest in expanding economic opportunities, fostering research, development, technological innovation, and promoting shared prosperity; 
 
Acknowledging the strategic importance of collaboration in high-growth sectors such as but not limited to aerospace and defense, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and energy;
 
Recognizing that the challenges of stimulating research, development or technological innovation (“R&D”), technological and economic growth are of mutual concern to both Sides;
 
Desiring to enhance the State of Arkansas’ and the State of Israel’s capacities and global competitiveness through cooperation in R&D and to develop and strengthen economic and commercial cooperation between the two States;
 
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission of the State of Arkansas (hereinafter “the AEDC”) and the National Technological Innovation Authority of the State of Israel (hereinafter “the Sides”) hereby enter into this memorandum of understanding  (hereinafter “the MOU”) to strengthen R&D cooperation between business, corporations or other entities (“Entities”), promote joint initiatives in R&D, and commit to taking the following steps: 
 
Article I – Objectives and Scope 
 
1. The Sides determine that the objectives of this MOU are: 
 
(a) To foster collaboration in strategic technological fields/sectors of mutual interest including but not limited to: aerospace and defense, agriculture technology, energy innovation, and manufacturing; 
(b) To facilitate the identification of specific projects, partnerships or collaborations between Entities from the State of Arkansas and the State of Israel that could lead to cooperation in R&D; 
(c) To promote, directly and indirectly, activities to intensify or foster mutual cooperation in R&D;
(d) To support the commercialization of innovative technologies through joint ventures, pilot R&D projects, and knowledge sharing; 
(e) To facilitate the identification of specific projects, partnerships or collaborations between the Sides that could lead to cooperation in R&D; and
(f) To coordinate and focus suitable resources and programs to support, directly and indirectly, R&D in the State of Arkansas and in the State of Israel according to each Side’s mandate and availability of funds. 
 
Article II –Areas of Cooperation

1. Support and promote exchanges and visits by delegations and businesses between both entities, offering cooperation and assistance to visiting Sides sponsored by the other.
 
2. Foster mutual understanding and collaboration between the business communities of the Sides in areas such as trade and investment relations.
 
3. Inform one another of trade exhibitions and investment seminars happening in their respective territories and provide appropriate assistance upon request.
 
4. Exchange and disseminate relevant economic information on goods and services that are available from the other State to their respective local R&D communities.
 
5. Sponsor and promote exchanges and visits by delegations and companies from both States and extend cooperation and assistance to visitors so sponsored by the other Side.
 
6. Facilitate support and encourage cooperation projects in R&D undertaken by entities from each State, for joint R&D of technologically innovative products or processes based on new innovative technologies to be commercialized in the global market (“Projects”). 
 
7. Each Entity which is an applicant or partner to a Project will be subject to the applicable laws, regulations, rules, procedures, mechanisms, programs, benefit plans and instruments of support and financing of R&D, of its own State or of the Sides, as applicable, including the level of support and the terms and conditions under which that support may be provided, and if applicable, the obligation to pay royalties.
 
8. The Sides may, directly or indirectly, facilitate, support, encourage or stimulate cooperation between Entities from both States, in the framework of this MOU, including in the form of Projects. Such cooperation may comprise, inter alia, the following forms and methods:

(a) Organization of meetings for Entities from the State of Israel and from the State of Arkansas to provide opportunities for joint cooperation;
(b) Performance of other activities to promote possibilities for cooperation between Entities from the State of Israel and from the State of Arkansas.
 
Article III- Exchange of Information 

1. The Sides may share information for the purpose of achieving the objectives and scope of this MOU, according to the form of cooperation agreed between the Sides. 
 
2. Neither Side shall transmit, without the written approval of the other Side, proprietary information concerning Projects, to a third person, organization, or country unless required by law. 
 
Article IV – Implementation
 
1. The Sides may designate liaison offices or officials to coordinate activities under this MOU. 
 
2. Implementation may include the organization of delegations, technical workshops, joint research initiatives, and investment forums. 
 
3. This MOU is non-binding and does not create legal or financial obligations under domestic or international law. 
 
4. The implementation of this MOU and any activity hereunder shall be in accordance with the respective applicable laws, regulations, rules, procedures, mechanisms programs or benefit plans applicable in each State or of the Sides or governing the operation of the Sides, as applicable, and subject to their policies and priorities (including their economic and development policies and priorities). In the implementation of this MOU, the Governor of the State of Arkansas may act through one or more of the executive departments of state government. 
 
Article V – Final Provisions 
             
1. This MOU shall enter into effect on the date of its signature by the representatives of both Sides concerned. 

2. This MOU shall remain effective and valid for ten years. Either Side may terminate this MOU by sending a written notification to the other Side. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Sides in writing, the MOU shall cease to be in force six (6) months after the date of such notification. 
 
3. This MOU may be modified, by mutual written agreement of the Sides. 
 
4. The modification or termination of this MOU shall not affect the validity of arrangements and contracts already concluded.  
 
5. This MOU shall not affect the present and future rights or obligations of the Sides arising from other international agreements and treaties. 
 
The Sides reaffirm their commitment to strengthening technological ties and fostering a partnership based on R&D, shared opportunity, and mutual respect.