Small BusinessIsraeli firms keen to tap $1-bn security market
Israel has launched an effort to tap India’s $1-billion homeland security market. The opportunities available in infrastructure, training and technology, excluding defence and weapons, are being looked at by Israeli companies such as Elmo Tech, Elbit Systems, ISDS, Netafim and Max Security.
- Wipro enters security market - Key resistance at 5,300 level - Cement despatches grow 11% in Dec - Tantia Constructions to dilute 10% equity - Trai contemplating regulations for telecom tower biz - GTL-Aircel tower deal confirmed for Rs 8,400 cr
Security systems and products are classified into the following categories — command and control, commodity protection, emergency solutions, identification and authentication, information technology security and software, perimeter protection, protective solutions, and system integrators.
Various state governments and companies such as Tata Group, Mahindra & Mahindra, Godrej, GMR, Rolta, Bosch and Siemens are in talks with the Israeli companies.
Avi Hefez, director general of the Israel Export and International Cooperation, said, “Enquiries from India for homeland security solutions and products have increased, especially after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. India has a huge potential in this sector and Isarel has decided to send a record number of nine trade delegations to India in 2010.” Hefez was accompanied by Israel’s minister for industry, trade and labour, Binyamin Ben Eliezer.
Hefez said M&M Special Services Group had already struck some deals for transfer of homeland security solutions and products. Similarly, GMR Infrastructure-promoted Raxa, Rolta, Siemens, Godrej and Zicom are working out technology transfer arrangements wih Israeli companies.
Israel’s government and companies are also exploring opportunities in telecommunications, agriculture, drip irrigation, water and desalination. The government of Israel has launched a Grow Win scheme to provide help to farmers in water-scarce regions.
“The government has already held preliminary talks with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and governments of Gujarat and Rajasthan for tie-ups under which farmers will be able to procure technology. Though the scheme is at the preliminary stage, the government of Israel wants to give assistance to farmers to avail of latest drip irrigation and water-use technologies,” he said. Hefez said Isarel’s government had held talks with the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation for transfer of technology for desalination and use of waste water.