הקבלן בראיון: "הממשלה הבאה צריכה להחזיר את הפועלים הפלסטינים"

Ran Yanai, CEO and owner of the construction company C.P., stated that the real estate sector has been in a significant crisis for the past three years, exacerbated by the war, judicial reform, conflicts with Iran, high interest rates, and a slight decrease in housing prices, with a brief respite in 2024. He believes the next government must address three main challenges to revive the construction industry: labor shortages, difficulty in obtaining credit, and high financing costs, alongside a slowdown in housing demand.

Yanai emphasized that a key solution is to allow Palestinian workers to return to work in Israel, under legal regulation and strict supervision, which he believes would increase the available workforce, improve construction site productivity, and reduce project delays. He also suggested expanding vocational training and increasing the supply of alternative workers for a long-term solution.

Regarding financing, Yanai proposed the establishment of a dedicated credit fund for the construction industry to provide loans on reasonable terms, helping companies manage working capital, fund ongoing work, and maintain operational continuity. This fund could also assist companies facing liquidity pressures and mitigate the risk of financial delays becoming construction delays.

To address the demand side, Yanai suggested targeted grants for young couples and first-time homebuyers, based on clear criteria and economic capacity, to ease market entry and support new projects. He cautioned that such aid should increase housing accessibility without fully inflating prices.

Yanai concluded that a comprehensive, coordinated government plan is needed, integrating increased labor supply, improved credit access, and stimulating buyer demand. The goal, he stated, is not just to return to previous activity levels but to ensure stable execution capabilities, reduce project delays, and improve public access to housing.