Governor Kaine Concludes Israel Portion of Marketing Mission

Press Release

- Business meetings focused on future opportunities -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today concluded three days of meetings with business and government leaders in Israel. Governor Kaine and First Lady Anne Holton are visiting as guests of the Israeli government to promote Virginia to business and government leaders. Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk is also traveling with Governor Kaine.

In addition to his participation in roundtable discussions focused on the manufacturing and life sciences industries, Governor Kaine met with executives from Oran Safety Glass (OSG), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Strauss Group, three Israeli companies operating facilities in Virginia.

"All three companies are pleased with the success they are experiencing in the Commonwealth," Governor Kaine said. "In fact, at our meeting, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced that its Bedford County plant has been designated as a strategic facility for the company, a key indicator of Teva's confidence in its Virginia operation."

In December 2008, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries acquired Barr Pharmaceuticals, parent company of Barr Laboratories, which has operated in Bedford County since 1996. In January 2008 Barr Laboratories invested $62 million to add production and packaging capacity at its Bedford County facility. Teva is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies and among the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world.

OSG in May 2008 invested $2.65 million to expand its Greensville County facility. OSG is Israel's leading flat and curved glass processing company. The Greensville County facility, the company's first U.S. operation, supplies bullet-proof glass for U.S. military vehicles.

Strauss Group, Israel's second largest food and beverage Group, has over the past few years become an international corporation with a steadily growing part of its business conducted outside of Israel. The Group employs more than 11,000 people and operates in 19 countries. Sabra Dipping Company, a U.S./Canadian joint venture between Strauss Group and PepsiCo, announced in November 2008 its plans to open a food manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County, creating 260 jobs.

The Governor hosted more than 50 business executives at the two roundtables. During the meeting with manufacturers, Green Vision and MaxTech, both located in Tel Aviv, announced the opening of new marketing operations in Virginia targeting federal and commercial markets.

Governor Kaine also met with Israeli government leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. Governor Kaine and First Lady Holton were also special guests at the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony. They will visit Dubai tomorrow, followed by a trip to Morocco, where Governor Kaine and First Lady Holton are being hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco until Saturday morning.

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