The government today approved a special NIS 4.03 billion multi-year aid program for socio-economic development in the country’s Arab sector towns and villages. The program was drawn up by chairman of the ministerial committee for Arab affairs Matan Vilnai and Prime Minister’s Office director-general Yossi Kucik.
The decision calls for implementation of the program to be spread over four budget years, from 2001 to 2004. The sum includes NIS 2 billion more than the existing development budgets. The increase includes NIS 1 billion, internal diversions from the relevant ministries, plus NIS 1 billion additional budget.
The decision also calls for the ministerial committee, headed by the Prime Minister’s Office, to coordinate action planning and priorities and monitor the program’s implementation. Plans and operations will be coordinated with Arab local authorities, business people and planners.
To implement development plans, complementary measures will be necessary, such as relevant bylaws. The program is aimed at raising income and lowering unemployment in the Arab sector, while increasing employment of women and raising the percentage of matriculation students.
The multi-year aid program includes the following measures:
- Development of physical infrastructure;
- Development of new high-rise building neighborhoods;
- Development of veteran neighborhoods;
- Construction of public institutions;
- Development of sewage systems;
- Development of road infrastructure;
- Industrial and R&D zones;
- Development of agriculture;
- Development of tourism;
- Development of human resources;
- Promotion of women’s rights;
- Promotion of culture and art.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 22 October, 2000