Arab Citizens as Israel's Next Growth Engine: Government and...

Oct 7 2013 8:30am - 10:30am - The Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues, Jewish Funders Network and The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies invite you to a breakfast on Arab Citizens as Israel's Next Growth Engine: Government and philanthropic investment in employment and economic development with Aiman Saif General Director of the Authority for Economic Development of the Arab, Druze and Circassian Sectors in the Prime Minister Office October 7th at 8:30am The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies Introduction: Jeffrey Solomon, President, The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies 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. Addressing low labor participation rates, closing socio-economic gaps and raising the standard of living in Arab communities are viewed today as key to strengthening the economy as a whole. Israeli government figures show that under participation of Arab citizens in the economy results in estimated losses of NIS 31 Billion to the GDP each year. In response, a number of government bodies have been created recently, representing a total government investment of approximately NIS 4.5 Billion, for economic-development programs for Israel's Arab citizens. Mr. Saif will discuss the economic realities of Israel's Arab citizens, the government's strategies for economic development in this sector, and what greatest successes and challenges have been thus far. He will also reflect on the important role of civil society organizations and philanthropy in developing models and advancing these issues. To RSVP, please contact Michal Cohen at [email protected]

Speaker Bio: 

 Aiman Saif is the General Director of the Authority for the Economic Development of the Minorities Sectors in the Prime Minister's Office, 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.