Finance Minister Israel Katz announced that he would oppose the decision of Minister of Economy Amir Peretz to raise the levy on the import of cement

Finance Minister Israel Katz announced that he would oppose the decision of Minister of Economy Amir Peretz to raise the levy on the import of cement.
In a statement issued by Minister Katz, it was stated that Minister Peretz's recommendation completely contradicted his worldview, which advocates competition against monopolies and reducing the cost of living. I intend to reject the recommendation outright, he wrote.
Economy Minister Amir Peretz decided to raise the import levy on cement from Greece and Turkey at a rate of 17.25%. The decision is a compromise between the recommendation of the Commissioner of levies in the Ministry of Economy to raise the levy by 29.95% and the recommendation of the Ministerial Advisory Committee to avoid the levy increase at all. The decision was made despite the opposition of the Ministry of Finance, which led to the decision to avoid raising the levy, which today is considered symbolic - only 0.25%.
Minister Peretz noted that "Cement imported into Israel at the price of flooding has led in recent years to a decline in unrolled cement prices. Therefore, it is clear that housing prices are not affected by cement prices, because cement inputs are negligible at the consumer price. "
The price of cement sold today is significantly lower than the price according to Nesher's commitment to the state to maintain competition as a condition for the continued removal of cement from price control, at NIS 346 per ton. However, the Minister points out in his decision that Nesher Company has undertaken in writing to the State not to raise cement prices throughout the period in which the levy will be in force.
The price of cement sold today is significantly lower than the price according to Nesher's commitment to the state to maintain competition as a condition for the continued removal of cement from price control, at NIS 346 per ton. However, the Minister points out in his decision that Nesher Company has undertaken in writing to the State not to raise cement prices throughout the period in which the levy will be in force.