With the recent ratification by the Italian parliament of a two-year old technological-industrial cooperation agreement between Israel and Italy, tenders for joint Israeli-Italian research and development projects can now be issued. Such joint R&D projects will be approved by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The agreement gives priority to projects in the field of communications, the environment, and alternative energy sources. Globes financial newspaper reported that Italy is to ?invest ?1 million in joint industrial R&D projects involving Israeli and Italian companies by the end of the year.? On the Israeli side, ?Ministry of Industry and Trade Chief Scientist Dr. Eli Opper said that the Israeli Industry Center for R&D (MATIMOP) would promote joint projects with Italy,? reported Globes.