“The so-called ports reform is bankrupt. There is a naval blockade against Israel.”
Manufacturers Association president Shraga Brosh has lambasted the government for its failed handling of the ports and the persistent delays at them. In a letter to Minister of Transport Shaul Mofaz, Brosh said, “On the basis of a discussion with the director general of your ministry, it is apparent that you have no idea what is going on at the ports and you have no control over them. The so-called ports reform, aimed at improving their efficiency, prices and service, is bankrupt. Except for adding a few more jobs for public servants, nothing has happened at the ports.”
Brosh called on Mofaz to hold an emergency meeting to fund short and long-term solutions to open what he called the naval blockade on Israel. “Your lack of intervention as the minister responsible for the ports will drag the Israeli economy to a place where we do not want to be,” he said.
Brosh added that the disfunction at the ports forces ships to wait 8-14 days for handling, resulting in many ships leaving without unlading their cargo. He said there were severe problems in shipping exports, which is costing exporters the confidence of their customers.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on May 1, 2007
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2007