"We're committed to bringing down the cost of living," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the opening of today's cabinet meeting. "This government has set this as a target and we will achieve this. This is a government that is promoting reforms. These reforms will encompass the open skies, the sea and land in every area that there is."
He continued, "A week ago we moved forward on the open skies reform, and today we will bring forward a reform to make vehicles and servicing them in garages cheaper. After that we will promote a major reform of Israel's ports, and alongside that we will set up a committee on bringing down the cost of living."
Netanyahu added, "I call on all ministers to pass the reforms that increase competition, improve service, raise efficiency, and help bring down prices for the products and services that Israel's citizens receive. I think we can continue a great change that will leave Israelis with much more money in their pockets and give our citizens the opportunity to buy things at the prices that we see overseas.
"The main reason for Israel's high cost of living are monopolies and cartels that stop competition and stop prices falling to the levels that they could be. Thus, this is a commitment by the government and I encourage ministers to bring forward these reforms, and you will enjoy backing, support and swift progress from the reforms. I think that all of you together can bring about a major change and raise the Israeli economy higher and higher while helping Israeli society. And as we challenge competition in all areas of life, in all the areas of the ministries that you are in charge of, we are helping both the Israeli economy and Israeli society."
Talking about the security situation Netanyahu said, "Last night the IDF attacked targets in the Gaza Strip. We won't allow a policy of occasional, sporadic missile or rocket attacks on us. These sporadic attacks will be met with very aggressive retaliation and we will take all the action necessary to protect the security of our citizens by retaliation and other actions not related to these responses. We will do all that it takes to defend Israel and its citizens, in the north, in the south and everywhere."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 28, 2013
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