The cabinet today approved a plan to develop technologies to reduce the use of oil in transportation. The government will invest NIS 1.5 billion over the next decade for this purpose, and will seek to raise billions of shekels more from outside sources.
National Economic Council chairman Prof. Eugene Kandel headed the inter-ministerial team that prepared the plan. The Office of the Chief Scientist will create a program to encourage investments in R&D in the field and to help companies through the regulatory process. The Prime Minister's Office will appoint a director to oversee the plan and coordinate activity by the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Ministry of National Infrastructures, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as collaboration between the government, foreign government, private companies, and other organizations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "I view this as a national and strategic goal of the State of Israel. Oil addiction has led to the Western world's dependence on the oil countries, and significantly damaged the environment. This has significant consequences for Israel as well. We are a small country in size but we are great in science and research. Therefore, the intention is to harness strong research, scientific and technological forces and link them with other bodies so that Israel will be the leader, the catalyst in research in this field."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 30, 2011
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