During the meeting, IDE PresidentShmuel Schnitzer and General Manager Moti Besser updated the minister on theestablishment of a modern manufacturing center initiated by the exchange.
During the meeting, also attended by thepresident of Lahav, Ehud Ratsabi, Schnitzer and Besser updated Bennettregarding the establishment of the modern manufacturing centre and invited himto participate in the launch of the center. Bennett was impressed by theproject and expressed his willingness to attend.
Minister Bennett congratulatedPresident Ehud Ratsabi on the work of Lahav, saying it represented a majorbusiness sector and was the engine of growth for the Israeli economy.
Minister Bennett also noted that 70% ofthe net new Israeli job positions were created by small and medium-size businesses,and therefore these businesses are the real heroes of the economy.
"Times have changed. In the 1950sand 1960s large corporations were the heart of the Israeli economy and market.The economy in our generation is based on decentralization and dispersal of poweracross a large number of small and medium businesses.
"I have tried as Economy Minister toact on several levels, both in creating atmosphere of encouraging theestablishment of businesses and by reducing regulation of business.
"Every day in my officeappropriate legislation
designed tomake it easier for business owners is being proposed and we are working toreduce the difficulties that small and medium-size companies face."
"On the issue of the establishmentof a safety net for the self-employed and small businesses we are working withthe Ministry of Finance," Minister Bennett added.
