Arab Citizens as Israel's Next Growth Engine | Feb 8th - NYC

In recent years, the government of Israel has been making unprecedented investments to enhance economic development for the Arab minority (20.6% of Israel's citizens) and harness its potential to become Israel's next engine for growth . Last week the largest ever government plan to advance economic development in the Arab sector was approved, allocating approximately NIS 15 billion for the development of Arab society and closing socio-economic gaps between Jews and Arab in Israel.

Mr. Saif provided the most current updates on the government's investments and approach to these issues, the latest assessments of recent progress and challenges ahead, and discussed existing programs as well as future government plans in this area. He also reflected on the importance of the business community in advancing these issues and addressing areas that are beyond the government's scope.

For the Task Force briefing paper on the latest government economic development plan for the Arab sector click here.

Event details:
Monday, February 8th, 2016
6:30pm- Reception
7:00pm- Introduction by Nili Shalev, Israeli Economic Minister to North America
7:05pm- Presentation and Q&A

About the Speaker

Aiman Saif
Aiman Saif is the General Director of the Authority for the Economic Development of the Minorities Sector in the Ministry for Social Equality in Israel, and has served as senior economic consultant at the Prime Minister's Office since 1996. Prior to that, he served as economic consultant at the Ministry of Economy and Planning. Mr. Saif was responsible for several fields including global and regional economy, economy of the Israeli Arab sector, municipal issues, infrastructure and investments. Some of the major initiatives that were coordinated by Mr. Saif were private equity funds; plans for the employment of Arab women; and joint ventures to advance the employment of Arab academics. Mr. Saif issued several publications including The Economic Development of the Non Jewish Sector in Israel (1995) and Middle East Economy - Israeli Master Plan 2020. Mr. Saif earned an MA in International Economic Development at Clark University, and an MBA and BA in Economics at the Otto Friedrich Universitaet Bamberg in West Germany.

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