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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received the report of the National Research and Development Council (NRDC). Science, Culture and sport Minister Raleb Majdele, Knesset Research and Development Committee Chairman MK Benny Elon and NRDC Chairman Prof. Oded Abramski also attended.
The NRDC report was presented to the Prime Minister for the first time after many years in which a report on the issue was not submitted. The report shows that Israel has many accomplishments in the research and development fields including the fact that Israel leads the world in national research and development expenditures per GDP. The report also notes that there has been a certain falling back in these fields stemming from – inter alia – erosion in the necessary infrastructures for training young scientists.
Prime Minister Olmert said: "I am pleased that the report is being presented to me after many years in which no such report on research and development in Israel was presented. It is important that the Government closely monitor developments and our investments over the years, so that they fit with our national priorities. We are in a good place, relative to other OECD countries regarding investment in research and development but this does not satisfy me. Investment in research and development is one of the most important ways to move the country forward and we must increase investments in this sphere. Only thus may we contribute to economic growth."
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