Pune: “Apart from working on various projects that will enhance India-Israel business collaborations, Israel also wants to attract Bollywood producers and directors so that more awareness is created among tourists about destinations in the country,” Israel’s Consul General Ya’akov Finkelstein said on Tuesday during his visit to Sakal Media Group office in Pune.   

Ya’akov Finkelstein was in Pune on Tuesday on a brief visit. He met the Mayor of Pune Mukta Tilak and attended a meeting at the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture.

“We have a great partnership with India and we want to enhance it further. There is so much commonality between the two countries. Israel will complete 70 years of existence next year, India got independence just 70 years ago, but both civilisations have thousands of years of history. We share a lot in common,” Finkelstein said.

“Israel is keen to develop its tourist destinations. We have realised that if we have some Bollywood films shot in Israel, it will really help a lot to create awareness among people. We are pursuing Bollywood production houses to come to Israel and shoot movies there,” he said.

Speaking about the cooperation between the two countries Ya’akov Finkelstein said that agriculture and security were two areas where there was large scope to develop further cooperation. 

He said that he was excited to be in Pune and was impressed with various sectors of the economy showing good performance in Pune area. Asked about the trend among many consulates to open visa application centres in Pune and whether Israel would also consider doing something similar, Finkelstein said this idea was worth considering.  

Sakal Media Group publication Agrowon has organised several events for farmers of Maharashtra in Israel in the past. Ya’akov Finkelstein assured that further events for farmers will be initiated by the government.