Time to Build: Accelerating & De-Risking Israel's Economic Growth, Recovery | Global Conference 2025

Why It Matters

Israel’s resilient capital markets and high‑tech engine provide a foundation for rapid post‑war growth, but expanding AI and inclusive talent pools is critical to maintain global competitiveness.

Key Takeaways

• Israel allocates $3 billion for post‑war reconstruction in Negev and north.
• Milken labs train 250+ fellows to link projects with capital markets.
• Israeli capital market showed resilience, outperformed S&P 500 in 2024.
• High‑tech sector drives 20% of GDP, 70% of exports despite war.
• Expanding AI and inclusive talent crucial for future economic growth.

Summary

The panel at Global Conference 2025 focused on accelerating and de‑risking Israel’s economic recovery after the Oct 7 war, outlining a $3 billion reconstruction plan targeting the western Negev and northern regions. Speakers highlighted Milken Innovation Center’s model of training over 250 Israeli fellows and dozens of global participants to develop investable projects, leveraging private capital rather than relying solely on government budgets. They emphasized the need to integrate peripheral communities—ultra‑Orthodox, Bedouin, Druze, Arab—into the labor and capital markets. Israel Securities Authority chair Zeff Zinger noted the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s unexpected green screens after regional attacks and its 2024 outperformance versus the S&P 500, underscoring market resilience. Tech leaders stressed that high‑tech accounts for 20% of GDP, 70% of exports, and that AI investment remains under‑represented despite its strategic importance. The consensus is that scaling AI, broadening talent pipelines, and creating inclusive capital markets are essential to sustain growth, diversify the economy, and position Israel as a global tech leader amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Original Description

Find all Global Conference 2025 Panels: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/global-conference-2025/program

The economic repercussions of the October 7 War, encompassing direct damages, military expenditures, and long-term impacts, are projected to surpass current estimations. We’ll discuss how to accelerate growth for “day after” direct and portfolio investments by increased capital access to firm and projects building bridges towards advanced rapid job creation and capital formation shared more equally throughout the country. Building on past achievements including TASE demutualization, financial architecture for improved capital markets and new financial products, we now focus on mobilizing innovative finance solutions for advancing prosperity as we prepare for the post-war period ahead.

Glenn Yago

Senior Fellow and Founder, Financial Innovations Lab, Milken Innovation Center

Tilli Kalisky-Bannett

Managing Partner, Pinegrove Venture Partners

Eugene Kandel

Chairman, Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange

Michael Kashani

Head of Sustainable Credit and Platforms, Apollo Global Management

Seffy Zinger

Chairman, Israel Securities Authority