The Beni Shimon Regional Council and the Laqya, Hora, and Meitar local councils in the eastern Negev have signed an agreement to build a business, commercial and tourist park at the Shoket Junction, north of Beersheva. $50 million will be invested in building the 4,336-dunam (1,084-acre) business park. The Israel Land Administration (ILA) favors the plan, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor has approved it.
Shoket Junction is defined as an area important to metropolitan Beersheva in general and the local communities in particular. The junction is the intersection of Road No. 31 and Road No. 60, and will be near the Yitzhak Rabin Highway (Highway No. 6), also known as the “Cross Israel Highway”
Under the plan, Shoket Junction will become a regional center specializing in industrial, commercial, sports and recreation, roadside services, and public installations. At least one of the secure passages for Palestinians between the Gaza Strip and Mount Hebron area will pass through Shoket Junction, near the separation fence. The business park will be 15 kilometers from the entrance to Beersheva. Jewish communities and Beersheva suburbs will be developed in the area, including Hiran, Yatir, Karmit and Meitar.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 9, 2005