Finance minister to present VAT reduction plan

Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson will present his plan for lowering the value-added tax (VAT) to 15% to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and to Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer on Sunday. In addition, Hirchson will present his ministry's predictions for economic growth and poverty reduction over the coming year. According to Army Radio, the economic plan in its entirety will be presented next week at the Caesaria Conference.