Premier Ben Gurion Pledges Government Support to Industrialists in Israel

Premier David Ben Gurion, in a message today to the biennial conference of the Manufacturers Association of Israel now taking place here, promised government support for industry and voiced the hope that Israeli industrialists will utilize all opportunities resulting from the creation of the Jewish state.

L. Shenkar, president of the Association, reviewing the problems of industry in the Jewish state, asserted that the greatest need at present is for increased exports and emphasized that there are good prospects for marketing Israel’s products overseas, especially woolens, textiles, rayons, household articles, pharmaceuticals, citrus by-products, leather goods, electrical items and candies. Shenkar urged the government to purchase goods only from those countries willing to buy Israeli goods in exchange.

Dr. Israel Goldstein, newly-elected treasurer of the Jewish Agency, told the meeting that order to promote technical efficiency in Israel’s industry, it was necessary to introduce modern machinery, better administration and distribution facilities, and more efficient merchandising methods.

Asserting that the absorption of between 20,000 and 25,000 immigrants monthly is already costing $480,000,000 annually, Dr. Golistein said that permanent absorption of new arrivals will be made possible by economic planning, large-scale irrigation, hydro-electric and other public utility projects, agricultural development and industrial expansion.

Reliable sources asserted today that the United States headed the list of countries which recently had offered to enter into substantial trade relations with Israel. Advantageous trade terms had also been advanced by Britain, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, The Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium, it was reported. The majority of those nations, it was added, were willing to buy citrus products from Israel in part payment of the exports.