Florida, Israel team for trade program

Florida’s governor in Israel announced a multimillion-dollar program to encourage trade between the Sunshine State and the Jewish state.Charlie Crist said Wednesday, the second day of his five-day trip to Israel, that he and Israeli trade officials have forged “a memorandum of understanding” that would have Florida and Israel each commit $2 million annually in grants for the next five years to companies that trade between the two, the Palm Beach Post reported.The Republican governor said he hopes to sign the agreement in October, adding that his state’s share of the money could come from the $250 million Innovation Fund that he controls.Crist’s trip includes meetings with top Israeli political and business leaders, as well as visits to holy sites.