I would like to congratulate the Minister of Finance, the current and former Ministers of Transportation and the Director General of the new Ma’atz Company for signing the Funding and Operation Agreement last Thursday, July 15, 2004.  The signing was in accordance with the goal determined by the Director General of my Office, Ilan Cohen, thereby transforming Ma’atz into a government company.

Transforming Ma’atz into a government company is another important reform for the advancement of the Israeli economy, and an improvement in the service provided to Israeli citizens.

Establishing a government company will assist us in increasing investment in infrastructure and implementation in a more efficient manner.  Investment in transportation development is an engine of growth for the Israeli economy, and plays a significant role in bringing the periphery closer to the center and in narrowing gaps in Israeli society.

This kind of reform, as well as the reform in the Israeli Ports, is part of a range of steps to make the Israeli economy more advanced and modern.

I take this opportunity to call on the Histadrut and Port employees to act responsibly.  Such a strike causes serious damage to all of us, as do other strikes.  I suggest that both sides resume negotiations in order to reach agreements.

I say to you that we will continue to advance structural reforms in the economy, reforms which will assist growth in Israel.
I would like to thank all who took part in promoting the transformation of Ma’atz into a government company.  This is not the last reform we will carry out together.

My warmest words I direct towards the employees of Ma’atz.  I worked with Ma’atz for many years, starting with my positions in the Government, in days which were, perhaps, much more difficult, in days of war and on different fronts.  I saw them carrying out the most difficult, complex and dangerous tasks, and must add that this was done in a spirit of volunteerism and with great sacrifice.

These years are engraved in my memory.  These were the years in which one could see the true quality of Ma’atz employees.  They were truly  first-rate, and worked under dangerous conditions, during the most trying times of Israel’s wars.

For that, I wish to thank all the employees of Ma’atz, and am pleased that this arrangement was implemented, was achieved by agreement and genuinely helps us to move forward.

Thank you.