President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday afternoon met with Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco Systems Inc., who was visiting Israel along with General Manager of Cisco in Israel, Oren Sagi, and Zika Abzuk, Senior Manager of Business Development in Israel.
The President welcomed Robbins and his colleagues warmly and thanked them for all the company was doing to develop their presence in Israel, providing opportunities for Israelis across the country, especially in the fields of education and healthcare provisions.
The President said, “We are all stronger when we work together. The ability to cooperate and promote mutual understanding between the different communities is the foundation for a prosperous future for all the residents of this land, and indeed for all peoples in the region.”
Robbins thanked the President for his warm welcome, noting that “the connection between diversified communities is part of Cisco’s DNA. Technological connection, connects and unites between people and communities and helps to close social and economic gaps. I am glad that we have unique programs in Israel – that have been operating for many years – and aim to integrate ultra-Orthodox Jews and Israeli Arabs into the high-tech industry, alongside special programs in the Palestinian Authority, aimed at developing the industry in this area.”
Cisco employs approximately 1,600 workers in Israel, has acquired 12 Israeli companies since 1998 and has invested more than $7 billion in Israel.
It was agreed that the senior staff at Cisco and the President’s Office would continue to work in cooperation on this important project, and that a further meeting would be held between Mr. Robbins and the President later in the year.
