Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen will be leading a trade and investment mission to Egypt and Israel in the fall of 2025. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet with potential strategic partners in sectors such as agriculture, medical technology and water conservation in Cairo, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Check back regularly as additional mission details will be added as they become available.
Mission Details
Participants must register by close of business on Aug. 1, 2025.
Estimated Participant Contributions:
| Egypt and Israel | $1,600 | |
| Egypt only | $600 | U.S. State Dept. Egypt Travel Advisories |
| Israel only | $1,000 | U.S. State Dept. Israel Travel Advisories |
| Oct. 25: | Depart Omaha |
| Oct. 26: | Arrive in Cairo, Egypt Embassy briefing, orientation, and cultural education |
| Oct. 27-29: | Meetings in Cairo |
| Oct. 30: | Meetings in Cairo Taste of Nebraska Reception |
| Oct. 31: | Closing dinner (Business community is closed on Fridays) |
| Nov. 1: | Travel to Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Nov. 2-5: | Meetings in Tel Aviv |
| Nov. 6: | Meetings in Tel Aviv, travel to Jerusalem |
| Nov. 7: | Meetings in Jerusalem Cultural exchange activities and evening Shabbat |
| Nov. 8: | Shabbat and cultural exchange Closing dinner |
| Nov. 9: | Travel to Omaha |
(Draft itinerary is subject to change)
Information on purchasing flights is coming soon.
Egypt | Oct. 26-Nov. 1
Egypt is a part of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with a current population of over 103 million people and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $402.8 billion. The Egyptian market is the top U.S. export market in Africa and the fourth largest in the Middle East.
Chief U.S. exports are agricultural goods, transportation equipment, chemicals, machinery and electronics. Agriculture accounts for 28% of the Egyptian job market, 11.3% of the GDP and the country relies on imports of wheat and corn, top Nebraska products. Furthermore, the tourism industry in Egypt presents an excellent opportunity with a growing demand for high-quality beef.
The Nebraska delegation will kick off this mission in Cairo, attending meetings with potential partners in a variety of industries.
U.S citizens are required to have a visa to travel to Egypt. Egypt has both e-Visa and visa on arrival for U.S. citizens. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
E-Visas for Egypt cost approximately $25.00 and can be applied for at www.visa2egypt.gov.eg.
Please note that:
- The e-Visa portal provides tourist visas only
- All inquiries must be directed to the help page on the e-Visa website, not through any of the Egyptian consulates in the U.S.
- You must confirm that your county is eligible for the online service listed in the Q&A on the portal
- The above link is the only official link affiliated with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Cairo | 6 nights (Oct. 26-Nov. 1) | ~$1,791 total per room
The Nile Ritz-Carlton
1113 Corniche El Nil
Cairo, Egypt 11221
Visit the website
Toll free: +20-2-25778899
Fax: +20 2-2578 0475
Breakfast included
U.S. Embassy Cairo
5 Tawfik Diab Street
Garden City, Cairo
Egypt
https://eg.usembassy.gov/
p: +20-2-2797 3300
f: +20-2-2797 3200
Emergency Services
U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call: +20-2-2797 3300
U.S. Embassy STEP Travel Program
The Nebraska Secretary of State's Office strongly recommends that delegates register for the U.S. Embassy STEP Travel Program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll in their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in an emergency. Register at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step
Israel | Nov. 1-9
Nebraska has a memorandum of understanding with Israel to promote trade and agricultural exchanges dating back to 1993. This agreement serves as a strong foundation for joint ventures in the country.
Israel is a global leader in the medical technology and their expertise in AI, biotech and medical device development makes them a valuable partner for future advancements in the medical sector. The country ranks 12th in the World Index for Health Care Innovation and 1st in the world for AI Talent Concentration.
Israel's arid climate has made water scarcity a growing concern, but the country has become a world leader in agricultural technology, pioneering solutions in irrigation, crop science and farm management.
The Nebraska delegation will start in Jerusalem and finish out the mission with meetings in the business capital of Tel Aviv.
U.S citizens are visa exempt for travel to Israel, but an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is required. You will need your Israeli travel authorization to travel across the Allenby Bridge between Jordan and Israel. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months.
ETA-IL costs approximately $7.00 and can be applied for at https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/
Tel Aviv | 5 nights (Nov. 1-6) | ~$2,545 total per room
Sheraton Grand - Tel Aviv
115 HaYarkon St.
Tel Aviv, Israel 63573
Visit the website
Toll free: +972 3-5211157
Fax: +972 3-5233322
Breakfast included
Jerusalem | 3 nights (Nov. 6-9) | ~$1,188 total per room
Orient Jerusalem Hotel
Emek Refaim Street 3
Jerusalem 9310402
Visit the website
+972 2-5699090
*Check back for possible room blocks available for purchase.
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem
14 David Flusser St.
Jerusalem 93392
https://il.usembassy.gov/
p: +(972) (2) 630-4000
Emergency Services
U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call: +(972) (3) 519-7551
U.S. Embassy STEP Travel Program
The Nebraska Secretary of State's Office strongly recommends that delegates register for the U.S. Embassy STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) Travel Program. The STEP Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll in their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in an emergency. Register at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step
