User:Egrol500

Bold textSHARON KEDMI is a young, innovative Israeli policy advisor and leader in international commerce and agriculture. He is the founder and CEO of the 'Demeter AWE Ltd'., a global consulting and investment firm providing expertise and technologic assistance to governments and entrepreneurs in the agriculture, water and energy sectors. In addition, Mr. Kedmi currently serves as Special Envoy for Economic Development for the Peres Center for PeaceItalic text. In this position, he is tasked with the identification, initiation and evaluation of projects in health, agriculture, renewable energy, water technology and education. In February 2014, Sharon Kedmi was named Chair of the United Nations Committee on Economic CooperationItalic text and Integration. The Committee is charged with developing and encouraging policy as well as a financial and regulatory environment which promotes economic growth, knowledge-based development and competitiveness among countries and businesses in the UNECE region Appointed Director-General of Israel’s Ministry of the EconomyItalic text (formerly Industry, Trade and Labor) in 2009, Mr. Kedmi held the post until 2013. As the highest ranking executive officer, he coordinated and implemented Ministry policy particularly in industrial and economic development, job creation, international trade and investment in technology infrastructure. Mr. Kedmi has played a central role in the formulation and implementation of Israeli foreign trade policy and has broad experience negotiating trade agreements with the US, as well as Europe, China, India and Korea. Prior to his current position, Sharon Kedmi served as Senior Economic Advisor to both, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor,  and the Minister of Energy, where he supervised international negotiations on the supply of natural gas to Egypt, Russia, Italy, Azerbaijan and the UK. Kedmi has extensive board experience, serving as Chairman of the Board of the Israel Employment Service, the Small and Medium Business Administration and the Fair Trade and Consumer Protection Authority. He has also served as a board member of the prestigious Israel-US Bi-national Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation and the Canadian, Singapore and Korean counterpart research foundations. Sharon has worked as a journalist, specializing in economics, energy and international agrigulture and commerce. He served as a reporter and analyst for “The Marker”, Israel’s leading business magazine; he also hosted a weekly radio program on business and economics. A combat medic and instructor, Sharon was an officer In the elite Israeli Paratroopers unit; he holds the rank of Sergeant-Major in the reserves. He earned a degree in Isternational Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and holds graduate degrees in finance and accounting. Kedmi speaks four languages including Hebrew, English, Russian and German. An active triathelete, Marathon runner and an Ironman. Sharon Kedmi is married and the father of three young children.