Several ministries will fund the work over 25 years.
Minister of National Infrastructures Benjamin Ben-Eliezer will submit a proposal to the social-economic cabinet next week for the funding of the reinforcement of public buildings against earthquakes. The proposal will call for the allocation of NIS 3.5 billion over 25 years. NIS 140 million will be earmarked for the purpose every year, half of which will be provided from the budgets of the Ministries of Health, Education, Welfare, and Internal Security, with the other half provided in the form of special budget supplement.
During the first two years up to NIS 4 million of the budget will be invested in a public advertising program to raise public awareness to National Outline Plan 38, a program designed to promote the reinforcement of buildings in the private sector.
"Given the current circumstances and budgetary constraints, this is a good proposal that will minimize the damage in disaster-prone areas. The government is now in complete agreement that we have to prepare for a major earthquake," said Ben-Eliezer today.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 15, 2008
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