PM talks economy in photo op with Rivlin

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notes five goals of his new government, speaking at the cabinet’s photo op with the president.

“First, opening new markets with Asian giants – China, India and Japan. They want it, we want it – these things are happening before our very eyes,” says Netanyahu.

“Second, developing new products and services in fields where Israel enjoys a competitive edge, most of all the cyber industry. In only a few years, Mr. President, we made Israel a world power in this field and it already creates great change for Beersheba, the Negev and the economy of the rest of Israel.

“Third, we’ll continue accelerating the development of infrastructure that will connect the Negev and the Galilee to the center, as well as the communications infrastructure revolution. This creates a dramatic social revolution, since it allows every boy and girl in Israel, in any minority population village or developing town, to touch, to connect to the world of tomorrow – in education, in culture, in economics, in information, literally in any field.

“Fourth, developing the gas and energy market that will lower the cost of living and make Israel an energy exporter. This has diplomatic, economic and security implications.

“Lastly, fifth but not least, reforms, reforms, reforms. We believe these reforms should be conducted according to some basic principles – advancing competition, cutting red tape, streamlining the government mechanism and cooperating with the private sector, which produces the lion’s share of added value to the economy of Israel and the citizens of Israel,” says Netanyahu.