The executive in charge of new listings at The Australian Securities Exchange has said the local bourse has set a target to become known as the Nasdaq of the Pacific, as he takes a key role in a delegation led by ASX chairman Rick Holliday-Smith to woo fast-growing tech companies in Israel.

Executive general manager of listings and issuer services Max Cunningham and Mr Holliday-Smith, who also chairs medical device pioneer Cochlear, touched down in Israel on Friday afternoon ahead of an annual "ASX in Israel" week, where Australian fund managers, advisors and analysts will meet with the leadership of existing ASX-listed Israeli companies and others who could join them in future.