Israeli economy

July 13, 2021, 5:52 pm

Bolstering Ashdod as an academic city should be a key government priority

In recent years, Ashdod has grown to become the sixth-largest city in Israel, having doubled its population within a space of two decades

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman at a press briefing with journalists in Jerusalem (Shoshanna Solomon/Times of Israel)

July 13, 2021, 4:34 pm

Liberman to bring budget to cabinet in August, seeks hike in home property tax

Finance minister says he hopes for 5% annual economic growth in next 4 years, budget deficit target of 7.1% of GDP for 2021 is reachable

By Shoshanna Solomon

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron speaking at the annual Eli Hurvitz economic conference in Jerusalem held by the Israel Democracy Institute; June 29, 2021 (Israel Democracy Institute)

From the WebJuly 12, 2021, 12:38 pm

Israel’s cenbank chief sees possible inflation target tweaks

Reuters: Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron says that as tech and online shopping push prices lower, the central bank is reassessing the inflation target regime

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 20, 2021 (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)

July 8, 2021, 3:11 pm

Israel budget plan: Boost AI, convert offices to homes, promote weed exports

Ahead of state budget approval, Finance Ministry presents structural changes that are part of economic plan for 2021-2022

By Shoshanna Solomon

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman, left to right, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar and deputy minister Abir Kara present new plan to cut back Israeli red tape; Jerusalem , July 6, 2021 (Kobi Gideon / GPO)

July 6, 2021, 12:20 pm

Israel strives for ‘smart regulation’ to help boost post-COVID economy

Over-regulation weighs down growth, productivity, report says, calling for new regulatory authority; cutting down rules could generate up to NIS 100 billion for economy

By Shoshanna Solomon

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron, speaking at the Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society organized by the Israel Democracy Institute, December 17, 2019 (Michal Fattal)

July 5, 2021, 4:36 pm

Bank of Israel keeps rates unchanged, says COVID still poses ‘risk’ to economy

Central bank holds key lending rate at record low 0.1%; monetary policy will be ‘very accommodative’ for a prolonged period; cuts forecast for GDP growth to 5.5% in 2021

By Shoshanna Solomon

June 29, 2021, 5:25 pm

Bank of Israel’s Yaron says fiscal restraint needed to curb debt

Tightening the belt will curb growth but at least will not lead Israel to ‘worlds of unreasonable debt,’ which could spur downgrade by ratings agencies

By Shoshanna Solomon

People stand in line outside stores in Jerusalem after they were permitted to reopen following a national lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, on November 8, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 16, 2021, 12:36 pm

Central bank urges new government: Think long-term, make Israel more productive

Bank of Israel report says Israel must invest more in its people, develop its infrastructure and upgrade its financial system in order to eventually reduce income inequality

By Shoshanna Solomon

The Amos 17 satellite of Spacecom Satellite Communications (Courtesy)

June 15, 2021, 2:32 pm

Hungary’s 4iG eyes control of Israeli satellite firm Spacecom

Shares surge in Tel Aviv, following news of the signing of a non-binding letter of intent for acquisition of 51% stake for NIS 215 million ($66 million)

By Shoshanna Solomon

June 14, 2021, 4:58 pm

Sameer Patil

Shaping the Israel-India-US defense technology partnership

There is an opportunity to take the bilateral cooperation forward and expand it to a trilateral one by shaping a start-up collaboration between India, Israel and the US

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer attends a session of the Knesset's Finance Committee on Monday, June 3 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

June 14, 2021, 4:53 pm

Stanley Fischer resigns from Bank Hapoalim board

Fischer, who previously served as the Governor of the Bank of Israel and is a former vice chairman of the US Federal Reserve, leaves Hapoalim after 8 months for ‘personal reasons’

By Shoshanna Solomon

June 14, 2021, 3:20 pm

Fashion group Fox gets investment from Danish billionaire for Terminal X

Danish firm Heartland, the investment vehicle of Anders Holch Povlsen and the owner of British fashion and cosmetic retailer ASOS, to invest in Israel’s Terminal X

By Shoshanna Solomon

Israel's new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (C) after the swearing in of the new government, in the Knesset on June 13, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90)

June 14, 2021, 1:51 pm

Setting budget is ‘most pressing challenge’ for new finance minister: Moody’s

Investor service sees government’s ‘lack of ideological cohesion’ as incentive for it to focus on economic policies

By Shoshanna Solomon

The Leviathan gas field gas processing rig near the city of Caesarea, on January 31, 2019. (Marc Israel Sellem)

May 31, 2021, 1:46 pm

Israel reportedly set to ease export quotas of natural gas

An inter-ministerial committee recommends increasing exports from 40% to 52% of total yearly production and imposing no export curbs on fuel from new fields

By Shoshanna Solomon

May 31, 2021, 1:22 pm

Asaf Shimoni

Propaganda aside, Israel is thriving as never before

Israeli culture and media are almost non-existent outside the country, and it is a must to set up international media corporations to compete with the BBC and Al-Jazeera