#1 p.m. SHARON APPOINTS BRIG.-GEN. (RES.) EIVAL GILADI TO HEAD PMO STRATEGIC COORDINATION STAFF
(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)
Tuesday, 19 April, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met today (Tuesday), 19.4.05, with Brig.-Gen. (res.) Eival Giladi, who will serve as Director of the Strategic Coordination Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime Minister made it clear that he ascribes great importance to coordination between government ministries and other relevant bodies ahead of the implementation of the Disengagement Plan ( http://tinyurl.com/43l87 ).

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Giladi served up until recently as the Director of the IDF Strategic Planning Unit and was involved both in formulating the Disengagement Plan and in the strategic negotiations with the US, the Palestinians and additional diplomatic and security elements.

#2 Portland Trust (Tel. 03-609-9901)officially announces Brigidier-General (res.) Ibal Giladi to be professional manager of its Gaza investment project

“Portland Trust has officially announced the opening of its Israeli offices. Its chairman will be Cohen, and its professional manager will be Brigidier-General (res.) Ibal Giladi. Cohen, Sir Harry Solomon, and Sir Martin Gilbert founded the fund in the UK in early 2003. Its CEO is Jonathan Kestenbaum, who has spent most of his career in public and government companies in the UK. The fund will work closely with local banks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and is expected to raise about $500 million. The money will guarantee credit lines to private companies from local banks.

… Portland Trust says that the Palestinian economy will benefit from a peace dividend of $850 million a year, which amounts to $460 per adult. 1.2 million new jobs will be created. If peace agreements are signed, the Israeli economy will generate $5 billion in additional income lost as a result of the intifada. In the next stage, Portland Trust plans to take the study, and consider how capital can be injected into the private sector, and how small businesses can be encouraged.”

Sir Ronald Cohen on acquiring Bezeq, retiring from Apax Partners, moving to Israel, and his vision for Portland Trust.
Gitit Pincas Globes 9 June 2005
www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=922875&fid=1724