Jerusalem Development Authority
| |
| Abbreviation | JDA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1988 |
| Type | Statutory corporation |
| Purpose | Economic development |
Secretary General |
Eyal Haimovsky |
| Website |
www |
The Jerusalem Development Authority (Hebrew: הרשות לפיתוח ירושלים), or JDA, is a joint agency of the Israeli government and the Jerusalem Municipality that works to promote and develop the economy of the city of Jerusalem. The Authority was founded by Uziel Wexler and was established as a statutory corporation under the Jerusalem Development Authority Law 1988. Teddy Kollek was one of the key figures behind its establishment.
According to Ira Sharkansky, the mandate of the Jerusalem Development Authority involves "encouraging, planning, and initiating activities concerned with the economic development of Jerusalem and coordinating Jerusalem's economic development among government ministries, municipal officials, and other bodies." Established as a statutory corporation through the Jerusalem Development Authority Law 1988, by 1992 the Authority had invested over $1 billion in construction projects and initiatives relating to science and technology in Jerusalem. The Authority was among the factors influencing the decision of Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2003 to build a facility in Jerusalem. Its largest investors, according to Sharkansky, have been prominent Jews from outside Israel.
In 2001, Eden, a subsidiary of the Jerusalem Development Authority, was established with the aim of developing and reviving Jerusalem's downtown area. By early 2012, Eden had invested NIS300 million in development projects. Originally conceived as a ten-year operation, it was authorized to continue operating for an additional ten years.
Uziel (Uzi) Wexler, who earlier had served as treasurer of the Jerusalem municipality under mayor Teddy Kollek, founded the Jerusalem Development Authority in 1988 and served as its director from 1989 to 1994. He later served as the Authority's chairman from 1997 to 2003. Teddy Kollek was a key figure behind the Authority's establishment.
Moshe Goldstein, once mayor of Ma'aleh Adumim, was chairman of the Authority for three years until 2008. His place was taken by Moshe Leon, formerly director of the Prime Minister's Office during the first premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu and chairman of Israel Railways by appointment of Avigdor Lieberman.
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