Regional Leadership on the Path to Economic Growth
The Bay Managers Program was recently launched as a joint initiative to promote socio-economic development in the Haifa Bay area.
The program is designed to provide the CEOs of the municipalities within the Bay Cluster with professional tools and a broad regional perspective to lead processes of growth, innovation, and collaboration in the local sphere.
The program was developed against the backdrop of major regional shifts, including the evacuation of the Haifa Bay industrial area, accelerated urbanization, and the development of a new trade route connecting the Gulf states to Israel’s shores — a move expected to strengthen the North’s position as Israel’s economic gateway to the world.
Beyond internal regional preparation, the program aligns with broader political and economic trends arising from the expansion of the Abraham Accords and international efforts to strengthen cooperation between Israel and the Gulf states.
One of the key initiatives expected to be influenced by this process is the development of a new overland trade route — the “Peace Rail” — that will link the Gulf states to Israel’s ports, serving as a strategic alternative to the Suez Canal.
This move could turn the Haifa Bay area into the terminus of a global trade corridor connecting Asia, Europe, and the United States, positioning Israel as a central commercial gateway in the Middle East.
Accordingly, the program will help the municipalities prepare in advance — mapping economic, infrastructural, and social needs, developing tailored work plans, and planning the combined effects of development on employment, education, transportation, real estate, culture, and the environment.
David Even Tzur, Chair of the Bay Cluster and Mayor of Kiryat Yam, emphasized that this is a strategic step that will strengthen the region as the growth engine of the North:
“We are working to establish a regional infrastructure that will enable municipalities to act together — to attract investments, develop employment zones and infrastructure, and position Haifa Bay as an international trade hub connecting the Gulf states, Asia, and Europe.”
Region Up: Economic Development Through a Regional Lens
The Bay CEOs Program is part of a broader initiative led by JDC-Tevet under the Region Up framework — a nationwide approach to regional economic and employment development, in cooperation with government ministries, academia, the business sector, and regional clusters across Israel.
The program is based on the understanding that regional collaboration is key to increasing productivity, creating quality employment, and developing growth engines tailored to local needs.
As part of this initiative, regional partnerships are being established that connect municipalities, businesses, and government — promoting projects in the fields of infrastructure, human capital, and innovation — all as part of a national effort to narrow gaps between the center and the periphery.
Lior Shilat, CEO of JDC-Tevet, added:
“Regional development and inter-municipal cooperation are a cornerstone of our work at JDC-Tevet to strengthen Israel’s economy.
Through the Region Up project, we identify each region’s unique needs and develop precise, innovative solutions that connect municipalities, businesses, and government to create regional growth engines.
Haifa Bay is an excellent example because of its significant potential for driving growth across the entire North.”
Building a Shared Regional Future
The program brings together CEOs from 18 local authorities in the Bay Cluster, who see themselves as local ambassadors working together to advance a strategically significant region with major economic opportunities.
Participants will undergo joint training and learning sessions on regional development trends, international models of cooperation, and practical tools for developing infrastructure, employment, and communities.
The initiative is expected to form a foundation for long-term cooperation among the municipalities and strengthen the overall economic and social resilience of the Haifa Bay region.
The program is conducted in partnership with the Bay Authorities Cluster, JDC-Tevet, the Menomadin Foundation, and the Rashi Foundation — as part of the Region Up initiative to promote regional economic and employment development.
