Massachusetts, Israel sign R&D deal

Governor Patrick: Israeli, state-based companies to increase R&D collaboration

Associated Press|Published: 03.15.11 , 08:12

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, on a trade mission in Israel, has signed an agreement for increased research and development collaboration between Massachusetts and Israeli companies.

The governor's office said the memorandum of understanding was signed Thursday during a meeting at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor in Tel Aviv.

Patrick said in a statement that the agreement "formalizes an already strong relationship," and will help support job growth in both Massachusetts and Israel.

Also Thursday, state Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki announced a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and an Israeli engineering college. Researchers will examine ways to process materials that could reduce costs for aircraft maintenance.

UMass President-elect Robert Caret is among those accompanying Patrick on the 10-day trade mission to Israel and Britain.