BARCELONA — Israel proved itself to be a leader in technological innovation based on its strong showing at the Mobile World Congress.

Some 100 Israeli companies participated in the mobile industry’s largest annual event in the world, held in Barcelona, which ended March 1. The event brought about 67,000 visitors and 1,400 companies to Barcelona to show off the latest advances in the field. 

The joint national effort by the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute and the Foreign Trade Administration of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor resulted in some 2,000 business meetings between Israeli and foreign companies. Israeli exhibitors reported on closed deals, advanced negotiations and breakthroughs with the world’s largest mobile operators and hardware and device manufacturers.

The show was an “unparalleled success” for Israeli companies, according to Ramzi Gabai, chairman of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute.

The Spanish publication elperiodico.com wrote: “Although a small country with barely 7 million inhabitants, it’s a leader in technological innovation. Proof of this is that Israel has at its disposal one of the largest showcase pavilions at the Mobile World Congress.”

Some of the mobile technology innovations Israeli companies brought to the congress include: fixed 3G car phone devices, telemedicine devices, and satellite communication systems.