以色列特拉维夫市市长：“创新，就来特拉维夫!”

□ 文/本刊记者 李静 图/唐楠

作为以色列特拉维夫市建城后的第9位市长，罗恩·胡尔代(Ron Huldai)的设想是将特拉维夫-雅法定位为世界创新和创造力的中心，将其打造成除北美之外的创新者和企业家的硅谷。同时，他还着力引领全国努力吸引海内外人才和投资，尤其注重同中国的关系。

2014年11月28日，以色列特拉维夫-雅法市科技创新推介会在重庆举行。特拉维夫-雅法市市长罗恩·胡尔代与重庆市企业、高校和科研机构分享了特拉维夫的科技创新政策与创新经验，并向重庆的创新创业者发出邀请——“创新，就来特拉维夫!”期间，胡尔代接受了本刊记者专访，侃侃而谈自己的重庆印象，及今后双方的合作方向。

胡尔代曾多次以特拉维夫市长的身份访华。他说：“有太多理由让我一而再、再而三地访问中国了。中国是世界上最大的经济体之一，也是世界上最大的市场之一，我曾多次访问中国，亲眼见证了中国的快速发展。中国经济正迅速发展着，我们当然希望中国投资者能来到以色列，来到特拉维夫。”

此次重庆之行，除了参加以色列特拉维夫-雅法市科技创新推介会，胡尔代还参观了重庆两江新区，代表特拉维夫-雅法市与重庆签订了《合作备忘录》，以加强两市在经贸、文化等领域的合作与交流。“重庆是一座充满生机与发展潜力的城市，以色列特别看重与中国的合作，尤其是正处于快速发展时期的中国西部地区。希望签署此项备忘录能与重庆开展更深入地合作。”胡尔代说。

感受特拉维夫创新氛围

在整个采访中，“创新”是胡尔代不断提到的一个词，他将特拉维夫称为“创新城市”。

以色列特拉维夫市长 摄影：唐楠

建于1909年的特拉维夫，当年只是地中海岸边一片寸草不生的沙丘地带，如今已发展成为以色列第二大中心城市，也是一座现代化的国际大都市。这座总面积只有51.8平方公里、人口约40.3万的城市，聚集了以色列23%的高科技企业，其中有750多家“种子阶段”的新创公司，是世界上新创公司密集度最高的城市之一。此外，还有大量企业孵化器、加速器和研发中心遍布全城。“特拉维夫是建立在创新与梦想之上的城市，我们推崇创造力与想象力!”胡尔代这样描述他所在的城市。

特拉维夫毗邻地中海，拥有非常美丽的海滩。丰富的水上运动让特拉维夫人在这里充分发挥着他们的运动细胞。“除了美丽的海滩，特拉维夫还是一座拥有众多餐馆、酒吧的城市。不同的装修风格、各类风味的餐厅以及酒吧都能让游客流连忘返。”胡尔代说，特拉维夫曾多次被全球众多知名媒体评选为最“美味”的城市。

阳光、沙滩和酒吧，悠闲的城市氛围背后，特拉维夫用“创新”吸引着来自全球的投资者以及年轻创业者。以色列常被人们称为“创业的国度”，而特拉维夫则被称为以色列的创业之城。

对于新创公司，特拉维夫实施了税收降低50%的优惠政策，极大地减轻了创业者的负担。胡尔代表示，特拉维夫欢迎世界各地的创新创业者，也致力于让中小企业者能够享受到更多的政策优惠。“为了鼓励年轻人创业，2013年起，我们开放了许多公共区域，为创业者提供免费的场地、咖啡和网络，以便他们能够更好的工作。来到特拉维夫，你会发现，不论是普通市民还是游客，都可以在特拉维夫市内利用Wi-Fi连接世界。无论是沙滩、公园、图书馆还是马路边都可以免费连接Wi-Fi。许多创业者聚集在一起，共享工作空间，共同讨论，经常能迸发出一些新的想法。”胡尔代非常自豪地向记者介绍道。

特拉维夫-雅法市大钟楼

除此以外，创新还被利用在城市管理当中。特拉维夫拥有自己市政管理的APP软件，并且开放了APP软件数据，不论是寻找餐厅，还是停车都可以利用该APP得以实现。“目前约有25%的市民使用了该APP，同时我们开放了APP的数据库，让更多市民能够参与到APP的改进当中来。”一边说着，胡尔代一边掏出自己的手机向记者展示，“如果我在特拉维夫想骑自行车，只要登录这个应用，就可以帮我搜索到可以租借自行车的地方，非常方便。”

注重高校交流 丰厚奖学金吸引中国学生

胡尔代称，此次访华的另一个主要目的在于吸引更多中国学生及有才之士来到以色列，尤其是特拉维夫这个创新城市。“为了吸引更多中国留学生来到以色列，除了提供丰厚的奖学金外，我们还组织以色列的一些知名大学开展英文课程，并与中国的一些大学与科研机构签订合作协议，开展学生交流项目等。”胡尔代鼓励特拉维夫与重庆高校之间学生的交换，“每年9月，在特拉维夫举办的‘创新周’活动上，我们都会向中国朋友提供中文资料，如今已经有越来越多的中国人参与其中。”

以色列驻成都总领馆开馆 签证办理更便捷

除了文化教育与学术交流方面，胡尔代也希望两地能在旅游领域展开更多交流与合作，能有更多中国游客来到以色列，来到特拉维夫。“特拉维夫是一座极具特色的城市，因为以色列是一个移民国家，所以这个城市也聚集了来自不同地方的人群，几个街区之隔，就能体会到完全不一样的风情。特拉维夫也是一座新旧融合的城市，其中的雅法古城建于5000年前，现在是艺术家的聚集区，而仅10多分钟路程，你就可以来到快节奏的新城区。”胡尔代向记者推介道。

数据显示，以色列自2009年签订中国公民旅游协议以来，前往以色列的中国游客呈现每年30%的持续增长。2013年前往以色列的中国游客数量达到两万五千人次，比前年增长30%。同时，2014年第一季度中国入境以色列的游客人数同比增长了65%。

2014年11月17日，以色列驻成都总领事馆正式开馆。签证方面，以色列将缩短中国公民赴以签证办理时间，其中个人旅游签有望从目前的10日缩短至5日，商务签有望从目前的5天缩短至48小时。以色列驻成都总领事馆的开馆将使中国西南地区人士赴以色列的签证办理更加快捷，意味着重庆与以色列之间的交往将更加频繁，两地关系将得到促进。胡尔代希望未来在以色列看到更多来自重庆的游客。

“2015年9月，在‘DLD特拉维夫创新节’期间，我们将举办以‘破解创新代码’为主题的第六届特拉维夫城市峰会，非常欢迎重庆代表团参加!”胡尔代向重庆发出了盛情邀请。

“For Innovation,Come to Tel Aviv!”,Says Its Mayor

As the 9thMayor of Tel Aviv since the founding of the nation of Israel,Ron Huldai’s vision is to turn Tel Aviv-Jaffa into a center of innovation and creativity,comparable to a Silicon Valley of innovators and entrepreneurs in North America.He is also dedicated to attracting talent and investment from both at home and abroad,with particular emphasis on relations with China.

On November 28,2014 a Tel Aviv-Jaffa of Israel Technology Innovation Seminar was held in Chongqing.Mr.Huldai shared the experience of technology innovation and innovation policies with enterprises,universities and research institutions in Chongqing,sending invitations to Chongqing innovative entrepreneurs – “For Innovations,come to Tel Aviv!”During the seminar he agreed to an exclusive interview with our reporter,talking about his impression of Chongqing and about future cooperation between the two parties.

During his Chongqing trip,Mr.Huldai also visited Liangjiang New Area and signed a memorandum of cooperation with Chongqing on behalf of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in economic,trade,cultural and other fields.“Chongqing is a city full of vitality and development potential.Israel attaches special importance to its cooperation with China,especially in times of such rapid development of China’s Western region.I am hoping for a deeper cooperation with Chongqing after signing the memorandum.”He said.

Feeling the Innovation of Tel Aviv

“Innovation”is the word that Mr.Huldai kept mentioning throughout the entire interview.He calls Tel Aviv a “creative city”.“Tel Aviv is a city that’s built on innovation and dreams.We stand for creativity and imagination!”as he described the city he lives in.

Tel Aviv is on the edge of the Eastern Mediterranean and has a very beautiful beach.Visitors to Tel Aviv beach often see it as “overcrowded”.“Besides the beautiful beach,Tel Aviv is a city of numerous restaurants and bars with many different decoration styles.”Mr.Huldai said.Tel Aviv has been awarded as a most “delicious”city by many well known global experts on numerous occasions.

Besides the sunshine,beaches,bars and the laidback atmosphere of the city,Tel Aviv is attracting investors and young entrepreneurs from around the world with its “innovation”.Israel has often been referred to as a “start-up nation”,while Tel Aviv is known as the start-up city of Israel.

For new start-up companies,Tel Aviv has implemented a preferential 50% tax reduction policy,which has greatly eased the burden on entrepreneurs.Mr.Huldai says Tel Aviv welcomes innovative entrepreneurs from all over the world and is also committed to allowing SMEs to enjoy more preferential policies.“In order to encourage youth entrepreneurship,we’ve begun to open many public areas,offering free venues,coffee and networking for entrepreneurs since 2013,so they can work better.You will find that both individuals and tourists can use wi-fito connect to the world in Tel Aviv.Whether you are at beaches,parks or libraries,even the roads have free wi-fi.Many entrepreneurs get together to share work space and have discussions.This is just an example of some of our new ideas.”Mr.Huldai said proudly.

Innovation is also used in urban management.“Tel Aviv has its own APP software for municipal management and has opened its APP software date to the public.Whether looking for a restaurant or a parking lot,you can use the APP software to get it done.Only about 25% of the citizens were using the APP,so we opened the APP database,hoping more people would participate in the improvement of the APP.”He said,while taking out his phone,“Ifiwanted to cycle in Tel Aviv,ifilog into the software,it could help me find places where I could borrow a bicycle.Very convenient!”

Generous Scholarships Available to Chinese Students for University Exchanges

Mr.Huldai said another main purpose of this visit is to attract more Chinese students and talented people to come to Israel,especially to Tel Aviv.“We offer generous scholarships to attract more Chinese students.We also organize some English courses in Israel’s renowned universities and have signed cooperation agreements with Chinese universities and research institutions for student exchange programs.”Mr.Huldai encourages Chinese student exchanges between Tel Aviv and Chongqing’s universities.“We will have ‘innovation week’every September in Tel Aviv and provide Chinese language materials to our Chinese friends,so there are more and more Chinese people getting involved.”

New Israel Consulate in Chengdu and Faster Visa Processing Great for Chinese Travelers

Mr.Huldai plans more exchanges and cooperation in travel and tourism between the two cities,hoping there will be more Chinese tourists going to Israel and Tel Aviv.“Tel Aviv is a fusion of old and new.Jaffa,an ancient city,built 5,000 years ago,is now an artist area.You’ll be able to walk from Jaffa to the new urban district in 10 minutes,”he recommended to the reporter.

Israel opened its new Consulate General in Chengdu on November 17,2014.The opening of the Consulate General will make visa processing faster for Chinese in the Southwest who travel to Israel,shortening the tourist visa processing time for Chinese citizens from 10 days to five days.The business visa processing time is also expected to be reduced from five days to 48 hours.This means the connection between Chongqing and Israel will become stronger,further facilitating better relations.He hopes to see more Chongqing tourists traveling to Israel in the near future.

“In September,2015,during the time of our ‘DLD innovation festival’in Tel Aviv we will have the Sixth Summit of Tel Aviv City,with ‘Cracking the Creative Code’as its theme.We’d love to welcome delegations from Chongqing!”Mr.Huldai has sent a warm invitation to Chongqing