Minister Ben Eliezer chose Avi Hasson for the position of Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Science and Technology

He will replace in his position Eli Ofer who finished a term of about six years * Before the Gemini Fund where he was a senior partner in the last decade, Hasson held a series of senior positions in the high-tech industry, among them ECI Telecom and ECTel. He did his military service in Unit 8200

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Binyamin (Fouad) Ben Eliezer, has chosen Avi Hasson as his candidate for the position of Chief Scientist at TMT. The appointment will go to consultation with the Minister of Science, Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkovitz, and then to the approval of a committee of experts that will be established. Finally, the appointment will go to the approval of the government , when he is expected to enter his position on 1.1.2011.

Minister Ben Eliezer said that the next Chief Scientist will have to lead Israeli R&D while dealing with the many changes both on a global and national level. "Avi Hasson comes to the position at a time when there are many transformations in the global economy and industry which directly affect R&D in Israel in general and the activity of the Maadar in particular. Among these are the challenges facing Israeli high-tech companies in the field of capital raising and the increasing competition from both East Asian countries and Western countries that are narrowing the gap between Israel and the rest of the world in regards to investment in R&D.
According to him, a significant strengthening of the R&D component of the cleantech and life sciences industries in Israel is expected during his tenure, and their significant expansion. "This will require a renewed examination and prioritization process, which will affect the character of the future industry in Israel. The investment in R&D in Israel is the basis on which Israel's advanced industry rests and to a large extent is responsible for the impressive growth in exports and the performance of the Israeli economy. I believe that the experience and professionalism, as a manager and with great knowledge of the relevant issues, which Avi Hasson brings with him, will help in facing these challenges in order to preserve Israel's position in the field of R&D and lead it to new heights."

The Ministry of Taxation, as responsible for growth in the economy, sees the role of the Chief Scientist as one of the main tools for increasing growth, together with other divisions in the Ministry such as the Investment Center, Foreign Trade Administration, Negev Galil Headquarters, the Agency for Small and Medium Businesses as well as the Division for Daycare and Nurseries and the Division for Vocational Training.

Minister Ben Eliezer thanked the creative Chief Scientist, Dr. Eli Ofer, who will remain in his position until the end of 2010. "Dr. Ofer led the science department at the Ministry of Science and Technology to impressive achievements on a global scale. During Ofer's tenure, Israel achieved impressive achievements which are the basis of You are a global leader in the fields of R&D and advanced industry. The activity of Dr. Eli Ofer played a significant role in receiving the presidency of the European R&D program - Eureka. Dr. Ofer will continue to serve as president of Eureka and will bring great honor to the State of Israel."

Avi Hasson, 40 years old, lives in Modi'in, married with 2 children. During the last 10 years, a partner in the Gemini venture capital fund. During this period he was responsible, among other things, for investments in the fields of communication and information storage. During these years he met with hundreds of Israeli start-up companies when some of them became investments. My father accompanied and helped them throughout the stages of their lives, with the most prominent example being Prime-Sense.
Before the Gemini Foundation, he held a series of senior positions in the high-tech industry, among them ECI Telecom and ECTel. He did his military service in unit 8200 and is a major in the unit.

Hasson graduated with a master's degree in business administration for managers at the Rekanti School at Tel Aviv University, and he speaks English, Spanish and Hebrew at a native language level. In the past, I lived for long periods abroad, in Argentina and the United States, during which I was exposed to the international business world and to different cultures. My father wanted to run for the position out of a desire for public action and missions.