Continuing the plan for strengthening the economy and civilian resilience in Sderot and the Gaza border communities, the Knesset Constitution Committee discussed the amendment to the Mandatory Tenders (Preference for Israeli Products) Law, so that manufacturers producing Israeli-made goods in Sderot and the Gaza border communities will be given greater preference, beyond that determined by the regulations, when competing against overseas suppliers in government tenders.

The amendment to the Law joins with other elements of the Ministry of Economy’s plan, which includes benefits to production plants from the Investment Center, increased grants from the Chief Scientist, fortifying daycare centers, giving increased subsidies for families, improving industrial infrastructure, and more.

According to the amendment, which is intended to help manufacturers in the Sderot and Gaza border regions cope with the security and economic difficulties they face, Israeli-made goods that are manufactured in the Sderot and Gaza border region will be entitled to a 20% preference in the price criterion when competing in a government tender against an overseas supplier, as opposed to a 15% rate as currently determined by the regulations. The amendment brought to the Committee’s approval also includes additional definitions regarding the location and production source in the Sderot and Gaza envelope communities.

According to the government resolution, the proposed amendment will be enacted as an emergency measure for a 5-year period, from the day the amendments are applied.

Economy Minister Aryeh Deri stated “The industrialists in the Sderot and Gaza envelope region are struggling with a complex, difficult daily reality. The benefits are aimed, among other things, at aiding manufacturers in Sderot and the Gaza envelope communities cope with the difficulties resulting from the security situation in the region, in the wake of Operation Protective Edge. It is both important and urgent to quickly implement the amendments, so as to provide tools for manufacturers to participate in the tenders and help them rehabilitate their businesses from the damage caused by the security situation in the region.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)