Israel, US held first High Technology forum to discuss Israeli high tech defense exports

The forum aimed at easing regulations for exports to Israel of dual-use products that have both a military and civilian use
 
Israel and the United States held their first-ever joint High Technology Forum last week near Washington.
 
The forum aimed at easing regulations for exports to Israel of dual-use products that have both a military and civilian use.
 
The meeting's agenda noted that, the forum "is designed to facilitate secure bilateral high technology trade and investment by providing a forum to discuss challenges and opportunities related to technology development, investment, and trade."
 
The Israeli delegation was headed by Defense Ministry director-general Pinchas
 
Buchris and US delegation by Undersecretary for Industry and Security Mario Mancuso. Mancuso agreed to create the forum after Israel established the Defense Export Controls Division two years ago. The division was created to ease US concerns that Israel does not maintain a tight export regime.
 
Until now, the US has imposed strict restrictions on the export of such products out of fear that they would be used for unapproved purposes.
 
Defense sources in Washington said following the meeting that the US decided to ease its stance on dual-use technology exports to Israel.
 
The change in US government position was mainly due to US recognition of the effectiveness of Israel's Ministry of Defense's supervision of defense exports as well as the new export control system introduced by the Israeli Customs Authority in July this year.
 
It is understood that following the meeting, the US will allow to sell dual-use technology goods to Israel, such as supercomputers for simulations used to design ballistic missiles as well as some software and infrared imaging systems.