OKIE: Oklahoma Israel Exchange

MISSION
The mission of OKIE: the Oklahoma Israel
Exchange is to foster enhanced
cooperation between the state of Israel and
the state of Oklahoma in culture, arts,
education, agriculture, commerce and
economic development.

OBJECTIVES
OKIE's objective is to coordinate activities
between the state of Oklahoma and the
state of Israel by sponsoring projects,
ensuring responsiveness to economic
development opportunities and cultural
exchanges, building networks through
people-to-people exchanges at all levels
and serving as a catalyst to further
relationships between the two states.

The History of OKIE

In 1992,OKIE: the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange was created by
Gov. David Walters to stimulate mutually beneficial projects. In
1994, the legislature established a permanent OKIE Commission
to develop joint projects in energy, agriculture, trade, water use and
conservation, and cultural and educational exchanges.

Partners For Change
The U.S.-Israel relationship is based on the twin pillars of shared
values and mutual interests. Given this commonality of interests
and beliefs, it should not be surprising that support for Israel is one
of the most pronounced and consistent foreign policy values of the
American people. By engaging in SHARED VALUE INITIATIVES in
areas such as the environment, energy and health, the citizens of
both nations benefit.

Today's interdependent global economy requires that trade policy
be developed at the national and state level. Many states are
realizing significant benefits by increasing trade with Israel. At
least 22 states have cooperative arrangements with Israel.

In 2002, Oklahoma exported nearly $3.5 million worth of manufacturing goods to Israel.
Israel is now Oklahoma's 54th largest trade partner. The total value of exports since
1991 have exceeded $106 million.

Israel is certainly a place where potential business and trade partners can be found. It
can also be a source, however, for innovative programs and ideas for addressing
problems facing the citizens of Oklahoma.

Israel, for example, has developed a number of pioneering education programs. One, the
Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), has been praised by
President Clinton as “the best preschool program on earth” and replicated throughout
the country after first being adopted in Tulsa in 1984.

A range of other exciting approaches to social problems like unemployment,
environmental protection and drug abuse have been successfully implemented in Israel
and could be imported for the benefit of Americans.

The potential for greater cooperation with Israel for the benefit of Oklahoma is limited
only by the imagination.