"We can today give our citizens a pensions and savings safety net, which was something that we could not previously do because the till was empty," said head of the opposition Benjamin Netanyahu today at the Prime Minister's Conference for Export and International Cooperation. "Today the situation is different but requires creativity. For example, we can determine minimal return, a minimal floor."
"I am perpetually thankful for the fact that Stanley Fischer is Governor of the Bank of Israel, mainly because of what he represents and not only his policies. For monetary policy is not enough. We must minimize unemployment and promote growth. At the moment this is not being done. If there will be initiatives that support growth, we, as a responsible opposition will support the government," added Netanyahu.
The former Minister of Finance set out his party's economic program, which is based on three key measures: lowering taxes, massive investment in infrastructures, and structural reform at the Israel Lands Administration and planning committees.
"It is especially important in a crisis to lower the level of taxes and invest in infrastructures. We did this between 2002 and 2004 when we were in a crisis. Lowering taxes does not necessarily harm the deficit. Having a high level of tax does not mean more tax - because you cannot necessarily collect those taxes.
Netanyahu declared for the first time that if he wins the elections and forms the government he will head the economic-social cabinet. The Minister of Finance currently heads that cabinet, and Netanyahu does not intend relinquishing management of the country's economy. On the political level, the head of the opposition claimed that alongside the political process, economic and economic growth agreements must be created with our neighbors as economic growth assists peace. At the same time, Netanyahu stressed that such a thing was not instead of political negotiation.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 12, 2008
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2008