2015 Report of Principle Activities Submitted to Prime Minister and Minister
of the Economy and Industry Benjamin Netanyahu by Director General of the
Ministry Amit Lang

Jerusalem, July 21, 2016 – Yesterday, Director General of the Ministry of
Economy and Industry Amit Lang submitted 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.