Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this afternoon (Tuesday), 3.8.04, toured the Intel plant in Kiryat Gat and met with Alexander Kornhauser, Intel Vice President, Technology and Manufacturing Group, and General Manager of Intel’s Israel Operations, as well as with Intel representatives from its various plants. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharon received an Intel citation. Intel employs approximately 5,400 workers in Israel. Intel Israels 2003 exports amounted to $1.36 billion, 14% of Israels total information and electronic industry exports. The Intel plant in Kiryat Gat employs approximately 2,200 workers. $1.8 billion was invested in its establishment, with $600 million coming from the government in the framework of the Capital Investment Encouragement Law. In November 2002, the Government decided to provide Intel with a grant of up to $430 million, in the framework of a $3.5 billion investment, in order to construct a new plant in Kiryat Gat. Todays visit was part of Prime Minister Sharons policy of encouraging the business sector. The Prime Minister has determined that both promoting growth and encouraging employment will be among the main goals of the 2005 budget. The Prime Minister sees the business sector as the leading force in both of these fields. Prime Minister Sharon also attributes great importance enlisting the business community on behalf of national goals and has called for increased involvement in all of his meetings with the business community.
Intel is an example of a company that has invested much in community social and educational projects. Following are remarks that Prime Minister Sharon made during the tour: I am happy to be here. Today, I know that I am visiting a very serious plant. We hope that you will continue to develop here. Today, you are in the position of being able to help everybody. I remember our conversation, and my impression indeed was that we would see your progress here. I also want to thank you for contributing to the community here, this is also of the highest importance, you serve as an example on this issue, and the willingness of economic bodies today to assist the community, mainly regarding education – I think that this is a very, very important contribution and you are an example in this area as well. You contribute. The very issue of your contribution will, in the end, return to you. It is not only giving – but also receiving, in the end, this contribution will lead to higher levels of education, i.e. the level of interest in special issues – with future prospects – in the global economy and with us. We hope for a better future. We are proceeding with a plan that is not easy – the economic plan. In the future, it will certainly bring progress, I am sure, yours as well, the continuation of what you have been doing here already for 30 years. We will all see better days.
