Trinidad and Tobago and Israel have started discussions about cybersecurity and smart cities, among other possible projects. T&T last week received its first visit by a head of Israel’s International Development Cooperation Agency, during which high-level talks with Government officials centred on partnerships to develop cyber-security, smart cities, modern agriculture and healthcare. According to director general of MASHAV, Ambassador Eynat Shlein, T&T was identified as a key partner in regional development and both countries have renewed a commitment to further expand on long-standing bilateral relations. Following speculation on what was discussed by Government officials and the Israeli diplomatic team last Tuesday and Wednesday, Shlein emphasised that the agenda being pursued by MASHAV was primarily driven by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which T&T is a signatory. In a telephone interview last Tuesday, Shlein said meetings were held with Government officials, including ministers, in areas of national security, planning and development, technology, public health care, foreign affairs, infrastructure, education and agriculture. Shlein said discussions focused on local and regional security, food security and climate resilience, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Shlein said Israel has long been regarded as a “start-up” state and maintains this level of innovation today. She said it was hoped the high-level meetings would lead to partnerships that encourage the development of government platforms that support innovation. MASHAV will be reaching out to T&T after the meetings to see whether there is potential for partnerships. The Ambassador said the MASHAV mandate includes formulating frameworks that accommodate such partnerships. Shlein pointed out MASHAV’s emphasis on capacity building, through which over 350,000 global graduates (including some from T&T) have participated in programmes in various fields. Noting that her visit marked the first to T&T by a head of MASHAV, Shlein said the purpose of this