TEL AVIV (VINnews) — Billionaire investor Bill Ackman said Thursday that Israel has one of the most innovative and best economies in the world, pointing to strong growth prospects, low inflation, a resilient currency and long-term opportunity despite geopolitical challenges.

Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, made the remarks in an exclusive interview from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” with host Sara Eisen. He has been in Israel this week for a healthcare innovation conference and is a partial owner of the exchange.

“I think it’s one of the most innovative economies in the world – it’s also one of the best economies in the world,” Ackman said. He cited expected economic growth of about 7.5 percent, very low inflation, a strong currency and relatively low sovereign debt, describing the country as well-run.

Ackman and his wife, Neri Oxman, bought an approximately 5 percent stake in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange a few months after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The investment has returned roughly ninefold, according to the interview. He described the period as an opportunistic time to invest, saying he is a long-term believer in the country and that “when they say there’s blood in the streets” it is often a moment for capital.

Foreign direct investment into Israel rose 78 percent in 2025 to $26.2 billion from nearly $15 billion the year before. The Tel Aviv exchange has roughly tripled over three years, and Ackman said further gains could come from potential inclusion in global indices, more local startup listings and dual listings with U.S. exchanges.

He likened Israel to “Silicon Valley as a country,” noting its high concentration of intellectual property and talent per capita. Once viewed as a disadvantage, the country’s relatively small population could become an asset in the artificial intelligence era, he said, because larger economies often carry heavier fiscal burdens. Israeli entrepreneurs are also increasingly choosing to scale companies rather than sell them early, which Ackman said positions the country to produce a $1 trillion market-cap company within five to 10 years.

Global venture firms have opened offices in Israel, and Ackman said the technology ecosystem, military-driven training and post-conflict resilience continue to attract capital. Most investors, he added, are focused on returns rather than politics and see the country as resilient.

Ackman also addressed regional security, saying recent conflicts have diminished certain threats and improved prospects for a broader peace dividend, including potential expansion of the Abraham Accords. He said the country should do well regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections, though he prefers reduced political divisiveness.

Separately, at Sheba Medical Center’s ARC Summit this week, Ackman reiterated that he believes Israel will become one of the best economies in the world and highlighted its intellectual capital as a core strength.