A five-year development plan for the southern section of the Negev Desert, involving expenditures totalling 900,000,000 Israeli pounds ($500,000,000), was considered by the Government today, after submission of the plan to the entire Cabinet yesterday.
The plan envisages an increase of the area’s population by 80, 000, and the provision of 35, 000 additional jobs in the region. Of the newly employed, 13, 000 would be given jobs in new industries connected with development of the Negev’s natural resources, processing of otherwise preparing for export many of the raw materials found in the Desert. These materials would be exported through the Port of Elath to countries in Africa and Asia.
Many other workers would be employed in a growing production of consumer goods for the Negev’s increased population. One part of the program calls for settlement of 5, 000 nomadic Bedouins on agricultural lands, making farmers of the Bedouin tribesmen.
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