Oil shales in the Mate Yehuda Regional Council: analysis, impacts and recommendations

Zenovar promotes strategic plans in its areas of expertise. The combination of expertise and intensive teams that are hand-picked for each project, offers a broad perspective that takes the smallest details into account. Our strategic projects are implemented through joint steering committees with our clients, and our processes involve all relevant stakeholders. The main components of the plans are: • Analyzing the current situation • Defining vision and goals • Presenting alternatives • Cost-benefit analysis • Risk analysis • Assessment of compatibility with company goals • Selecting the preferred and most applicable alternative • Plan of action, including budget, responsible entities, scheduling and milestones

Business plans are drafted for projects before the implementation decision is reached. The most important components of these plans include market evaluation and assessment of demand for quantity and cost for each specific project. The plans include income analysis, expenses and investments, a projected profit and loss statement, and cash flow report. The findings are presented using the following parameters: • Net present value • Required investment capital • Payout period • Internal rate of return • Assessment of vulnerability to key parameters A separate chapter is devoted to risk analysis, which is a significant decision-making tool.

An important component of every business or strategic plan is a survey of the market and business environment. Zenovar conducts market research and uses this research as a decision-making tool. Market analysis includes: • Professional literature review • Analysis of clients or potential public • Involving the public • Quantitative and economic information analysis • Interviewing experts The results are presented by performing a complete analysis of the value chain, from the raw material until the end consumer.

In some projects, a quantitative or qualitative survey can significantly increase analytic capabilities, and thus facilitate decision-making processes. Zenovar specializes in target-focused surveys conducted face-to-face or over the phone. The surveys include the following: • Opinion analysis • Individual analysis of production costs • In-depth interviews to understand decision-making processes

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Zenovar appoints designated teams for regional and municipal planning, including: • Analyzing economic implications of large enterprises or policy changes • Defining economic and sustainable planning policies • Identifying optimal municipal and regional planning strategies • Locating projects that will economically boost the city or region

Zenovar has accumulated unique expertise in economic historical research. The combination of economic research experience with historical research capabilities produces target-oriented studies that are highly productive for the clients who request them. The work conducted by Zenovar includes: • Reviews of archived information • Interviews with experts and officials who were personally involved in the events being researched • Collecting background information and literature reviews • Analyzing historical context • Quantitative and economic analysis of series of data • Presenting the findings as decision-making tools or as insights derived from the historical research conducted

Zenovar specializes in sustainable planning and in supporting environmental legislation. Zenovar’s approach is to designate economists as providers of services for environmental decision makers. Zenovar’s main goal in this area is to develop mechanisms that can provide better and more efficient solutions for the public and national economy, while promoting environmental goals.