By Lauren Kramer

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is heading to Israel for his first trade mission May 23-27, keeping a sharp eye out for business investments for the province. He’ll be visiting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Bethlehem, along with a group of 43 delegates representing some 34 organizations from Ontario’s life sciences, universities and health sectors.

McGuinty said the trip will be “an introductory mission” and a chance to “build on the foundation that’s already there” between the province and the Jewish state.

In 2008, two-way goods trade between Ontario and Israel added up to almost $1.1 billion, up 86 percent from 2004. McGuinty said he wanted to “accelerate” those numbers. He said that the West Bank part of the trip would be less about investment and more about finding ways for Ontario to help “strengthen Palestinian governance, education, small business creation and community development.”

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