Government

The Knesset's Interior Committee approved the regulations for a work permit for Israeli investors in the US According to the agreement, Israelis and US residents will be able to invest in each other's country and receive a work permit on an investment basis only. Until now, Israelis who wanted to obtain a work permit in the US, even for the purpose of starting a business, were forced to meet strict threshold conditions such as proof of unique knowledge, exceptional achievements, seniority or demand from the applicant to prove that in the past he had already made real trade. The new...

The Ministry of Economy and Industry is launching a new program, allocating NIS 110 million to raise productivity in the industrial sectors in national priority areas and in Jerusalem Industrial enterprises whose sales turnover is up to NIS 200 million will be able to receive a grant of up to NIS 3 million for the following purposes: investment or upgrading in technological equipment of systems, improvement of operational excellence, empowerment of human capital, promotion of innovation and efficiency in resources and raw materials

Six Israeli start-ups, presenting innovative technologies in the areas of health, agriculture and water, have reached the final stage of the ibridge to the innovation program of Israel-India, launched during the mutual visits of Indian and Israeliprime ministers over the past year. The six companies were selected from 18 Israeli companies that presented their technologies to Israeli and Indian company directors and investors at the Demo-Day event last week at the Urban Place in Shalom Tower in Tel Aviv.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, the leaders of the industry were presented as part of a festive event at the President's Residence in Jerusalem and in the presence of President Reuven Rivlin. The award was awarded to Stef Wertheimer, Yossi Vardi, Dan Propper, Sami Sagol, Maxine Fassberg, Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel, Giora Ackerstein, Rim and Imad Yunes, Shimon Eckhaus and Morris Kahn. The award is intended to express the appreciation of Israeli society to industry leaders who have contributed significantly to the development of Israeli...

The Knesset plenum approved in a second and third reading the bill of the chairman of the Economics Committee, MK Eitan Cabel, to shorten the waiting times for a professional human response to deal with malfunctions, clarify the state of the account and end the contract. The amendment will apply to all companies in the economy, including, in an unprecedented manner, also to banks and insurance companies, and will come into effect in another nine months.

The state of Israel is not properly prepared for an earthquake. Most hospitals in the north are not earthquake-resistant; 2,350 schools operate in buildings that are not earthquake-resistant; 99% of the public buildings that require reinforcement have not yet been strengthened. In fact, only 52 public buildings have been reinforced in the past decade, 50 schools and two hospitals have been partially renovated. State Comptroller Joseph Shapira's report on "preparedness for earthquakes - buildings and infrastructure" published revealed the enormous destruction expected in Israel during a...

The Finance Committee of the Knesset approved the plan of the Government Companies Authority to sell 20% of the shares of the Israel Postal Company from the government to a private strategic investor, and another 20% to the public. However, the committee demanded that the Authority and the Ministry of Finance report to the Knesset in the future in order to obtain its approval of the order of vital interests that the Minister of Finance will issue prior to privatization

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and the head of the Federal Finance Division (FDF), Swiss Confederation Minister of Finance, Mr. Oli Morer, met in Jerusalem to discuss various financial and fiscal issues of mutual interest. The ministers met after a second round of economic dialogue in Switzerland, in which the parties identified areas of mutual interest and undertook commitments to deepen cooperation on a number of issues, including access to the market and the industry