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Netanyahu: Food prices haven’t gone up in past year

Prime minister embraces recommendations given by government centralization committee; calls to 'increase market competitiveness by reducing centralization, lowering cost of living'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accepted the recommendations of a committee tasked with increasing market competitiveness. "We want to increase competitiveness by reducing centralization, cartels and monopolies. When competition is high, prices drop," he said.

 

He noted that food prices had not gone up in the past year, despite the fact that the index did and contrary to common belief. "But this is not enough. We want to see prices drop, and this is achieved by enhancing competition," he added.

 

Netanyahu praised his government and said: "While previous governments would talk of limiting cartels and monopolies, the current government actually does the work. We must continue to increase market competitiveness and reduce the cost of living."

 

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz further said that "after 18 months of hard work, the government will most likely approve the centralization report which will work towards Israel's economic, public and democratic interests."

 

"The government proved once again that it has no link with crony capitalism," Steinitz added.

 

Prof. Eugene Kandel, head of the National Economic Council said: "Some 18 months ago, the prime minister formed a committee with the purpose of increasing market competitiveness and reducing centralization. The committee since then has made great progress compared to other countries in the world. This is a true reform. "

 

Deputy Attorney General Avi Licht said that he believes the major tycoons will turn to legal means, following the committee's recommendations but called on the government to approve the recommendations.  

 

Boaz Fyler contributed to the report.

 

This article was orginally published in Hebrew .

 

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.23.12, 08:40
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