The research committee of the Office of the Chief Scientist has approved 27 new research & development projects at a volume of NIS 55 million. The projects will be financed partly by government sources, which will contribute NIS 23.7m. via the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Of the 27 R&D projects, four are in the traditional industry, nine are in the field of electronics and another four are in the field of communications. Other areas included biotechnology, optical electronics and software.