In the framework of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s decision to strengthen the Negev region in general and the city of Sderot in particular, the Prime Minister’s Office has appealed to the new owners of the “Tara” factory and requested that they move it to the Noam industrial zone in the western Negev.  The Tara plant is expected to absorb approximately 300 employees.

Following a series of discussions led by the Prime Minister’s Office and with the participation of representatives from the Finance Ministry and the Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry, it was decided to reinstate the approval certificate for the “Tara” plant, which was frozen three years ago (the certificate entails government grants in accordance with the Capital Investments Encouragement Law).

The “Tara” plant owns 70 dunams in the Noam industrial zone, which was developed by the government at a cost of tens of millions of shekels.

Establishing the factory in the Negev will provide a response to the plight of employment in the area and will significantly expand competition in the dairy sector in Israel.