​(Communicated by the Ministry of Economy and Industry Spokesperson)

Director General of the Ministry of Economy and Industry Amit Lang submitted yesterday (Wednesday, 20 July 2015) the 2015 Report of Principle Activities to Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Industry, Benjamin Netanyahu. The report was prepared by the Ministry’s Department of Strategy and Policy Planning and is based on the implementation reports for the Ministry’s work plans. For the first time, a government ministry is publishing its annual report to the general public, stemming from a belief in governmental transparency.

Report data includes:

-    Employment: Within the framework of its activity for expanding the circle of those participating in the labor market, the Ministry worked on employment orientation through its designated employment guidance centers with over 8,000 participants from the Arab population – of these, over 2,800 received placement in jobs. In addition, around 9,000 ultra-Orthodox participants received help, with over 5,000 of them placed.
-    Cost of living: Lowering and adapting standardization (the Standardization Reform) to meet that acceptable around the world, so as to remove import blocks; allocating tax-exempt quotas for meat, cheeses, frozen vegetables, etc. to enable a wide range of products and prices for consumers, while creating competition. 
-    Encouraging innovation: Establishing a National Authority for Technological Innovation, that has this year supported around 700 R&D programs in both traditional industries and development of competitive products.
-    Strengthening small and medium-sized businesses: Professional support through the Maof network to around 6,000 entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses owners. A significant improvement in accessibility to growth capital, including the State Guarantee Fund for Small Businesses and private equity funds.
-    Encouragement and promoting investments in National Priority Areas: 65 requests were authorized for grants to establish and expand industrial projects to the value of NIS 278 million, that will lead to investments of NIS 1.4 billion in industry in the periphery. These programs will bring about employment of an additional 1,300 direct employees and the same number of indirect ones.

Director General of the Ministry of Economy and Industry Amit Lang: “The Ministry’s 2015 Report of Principle Activities is commensurate with its vision that is based on leading the economy to a path of innovation and growth, while reducing the socioeconomic gaps, improving productivity, and increasing competition.”

Deputy Director General of Strategy and Policy Planning Michal Fink: “The Ministry’s Report of Principle Activities is based on its goals and targets and displays a broad and inclusive picture of performance of Ministry activities. The report’s publication is part of an innovative process of governmental transparency and responsibility.