Finance Minister Pinhas Sapir reported here that the Government was working on a plan to end unemployment within two to three years. He also said the Government believed a period of “restraint” was essential to prevent a strain on Israel’s balance of payments.
The Finance Minister linked the campaign against joblessness with greater exports in two addresses, one at a meeting of the Mapai kibbutz movement and the other given at the opening session of the first meeting of the World Council of Associations of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce.
He told the Mapai meeting that the new anti-unemployment program would be part of a drive to step up production for export. He said Israel’s efforts to restrain the economy was not a goal in itself but rather an instrument “to strengthen those branches requiring such treatment.” He reiterated his belief that Israel could increase its exports by $100, 000, 000 a year.
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