Netanyahu: Israel should build a railway line between Ashdod and Eilat

Netanyahu also noted that the government should continue with the port reform policy and privatize the Israeli port industry and liberalize the country's civil aviation industry
 
Former Prime Minister & Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was the first lecturer at the economic session at Port2Port 2007 International Logistics & Transportation Conference held last week said that Israel should build a railway between Ashdod and Eilat, allowing ships that dock at the Red Sea port to transfer goods to the ports of Ashdod and Haifa and from there to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.
 
Netanyahu who was the main speaker at the last session of the conference which dealt with "Israel as an economical hub in the East and West crossroads" noted that the government should continue with the port reform policy and privatize the Israeli port industry and liberalize the country's civil aviation industry, a move which would benefit the economy as a whole.
 
The session which was moderated by Mr. Sever Plotzker - Economic Correspondent, “Yediot Ahronot” and with active participation of panel of prominent Israeli speakers:
Mr. Yechiel Assia, Director General, Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute; Mr. Oded Brook, Senior Deputy Director General Head of International Affairs, Ministry of Finance; Professor Yehuda Hayut, Shipping and Logistics expert; Mr.Uriel Lynn, President, Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce; Mr. Gad Propper, Managing Director, Osem International Ltd.; Mr. Yossi Rosen, President & CEO, Israel Corporation; Mr. Gideon Siterman, Director General Ministry of Transport & Road Safety.
 
Netanyahu added that “ Israel will serve as a bridge between Asia and Europe. A bridge which will bring benefits not only to the Israeli public but also to the Palestinians, Jordanians and others.
 
He noted that the government should reduce red tape thus enabling the economy to grow faster at a rate as high as 9% per year similar to the growth rate achieved by Ireland throughout the last decade.