The Economics Committee of Lahav under the leadership of Israel Diamond Exchange General Manager Moti Besser discussed issues that are likely to affect Israel's national budget at a meeting on April 21.
There is no doubt that comments by Moti Besser will be received with great seriousness both by the general public and by government decision-makers due to his previous role as economics adviser to the army Chief of Staff and as General Manager of the IDE, said one of the participants at the Economics Committee meeting of Lahav.
Lahav is the Organization of self-employed and businesses in Israel. The Economics Committee met at the bourse's meeting room at the suggestion of Moti Besser to hold the meetings at a different industry sector's premises each time.
Before the meeting, the 12 participants had a tour of the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum and afterwards watched a short film and saw a presentation showing the achievements of the diamond exchange over the 75 years of its existence as well as receiving statistics relating to the diamond sector.
Photo: Yifat Saban
Committee member, Dr Robby Natanzon, General Manager of Macro Economy, gave a presentation looking ahead to the new government budget to prepare the messages that would be relayed by the president of Lahav – Ehud Ratzabi at the budget meeting. "Our role is especially important in light of the challenges facing the economy. Lahav must set its strategy by going to the very heart of the sectors that it represents in order to create a set of recommendations that will encourage small businesses."
Dr Robby Natanzon and Lahav General Manager Moti Shapira stressed the importance to the Israeli economy of small and medium-size businesses. The meeting heard that 40% of the 417,000 workers in the industrial sector are employed in small and medium-size firms.
Participants at the meeting stressed the difficulties in representing small and medium-size businesses to the government since they are spread out across several sectors. They often also have conflicting interests, meaning there is a need to channel Lahav's efforts in a precise way.
Following the two-hour meeting, participants went away with plenty of food for thought and consideration ahead of the next meeting of the Economics Committee.
