Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to grant benefits to factories participating in security establishment tenders was approved by the Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee.

The order approved in the Knesset today was issued in accordance with a directive from Prime Minister Sharon, and the Cabinet decision, regarding aid to the greater Sderot area, in the framework of the Prime Minister’s Office plan to aid and strengthen the area.

The order applies to the city of Sderot, the Sapirim industrial zone (which is in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council area), and the joint Sderot-Sha’ar Hanegev industrial zone.

The aforementioned benefit provides factories in the greater Sderot area with preferences in tenders by allowing the possibility of offering prices that are 15% higher than those offered by other factories competing in the same tender.

In 2003-2004, the Government made several decisions in order to strengthen the greater Sderot area.  The Prime Minister’s Office Division for Coordination, Follow-Up and Control is monitoring the implementation of these decisions, all of which have been fully implemented.