A delegation of senior executives from Chinese conglomerate HNA Group has been in Israel this week mulling acquisitions in hotels and high-tech. The visit comes as Hainan Airlines, owned by HNA, launches its Tel Aviv-Beijing route with three weekly flights.
Top of the shopping list for HNA, "Yediot Ahronot" reports, is an Israeli hotel. HNA is China's largest privately-owned tourism group, and it sees great potential in Israel's tourism industry for the Chinese market.
The HNA delegation currently in Israel, and another senior delegation visiting next month will also check out potential high tech investments and acquisitions. Yuval Golan, CEO of Unique 1 Asia, which serves as a consultant to HNA in Hainan province, told "Yediot Ahronot" that HNA is interested in startups developing systems for smart cities, cyber security, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, ecommerce, agriculture and more.
HNA has already formed a partnership with Israeli big data and cloud computing startup Bidflyer. The Chinese conglomerate has signed a deal to integrate Bidflyer's software into its aviation companies. Bidflyer enables airlines to sell surplus seats at discounted prices.
HNA had revenue of $29.4 billion in 2015 and has 180,000 employees.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 27, 2016
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