Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Shmuel Abramson as the new chief economist at the Ministry of Finance. Despite already serving in the position on an acting basis for the past two months, Abramson’s permanent appointment indicates a level of trust from Smotrich. This decision follows a recent incident where Smotrich asked Abramson to alter a professional report prepared by Treasury officials regarding Israel’s macro trends, to which Abramson refused. The potential tension caused by this disagreement could have caused further complications, particularly in light of the disputes between Smotrich and the previous chief economist, Shira Greenberg.
Prior to his new role, Abramson served as Greenberg’s senior deputy, overseeing research and policy promotion in various economic sectors, including the capital market and high-tech industry. He also had responsibilities related to national security and economics. As chief economist, Abramson will be responsible for state revenues, research, and international relations. His appointment still needs to be approved by the Appointments Committee and the government.
Abramson, who joined the civil service in 2004, has extensive experience in the government and research institutes. His areas of expertise include productivity and innovation, science priorities, digital asset sector regulation, financial regulation, national security aspects of foreign investments, pension savings, taxation of natural resources, and the government’s response to extreme events. He holds a doctorate in policy analysis from the RAND Corporation, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the Hebrew University.
Upon announcing Abramson’s appointment, Smotrich expressed confidence in his qualifications and commended his dedication and knowledge of the department. He believes Abramson’s experience will greatly contribute to understanding the economic situation and advancing economic policy, particularly in state revenues and international economic relations. Shlomi Heisler, the Director General of the Ministry of Finance, also praised Abramson’s diverse experience and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the division and contribute to Israel’s economic challenges and opportunities.
The appointment of Abramson, who has a history of service within the ministry, is seen as a testament to the Ministry of Finance’s capabilities and the trust placed in its employees.