NYCE Systems Chief Executive Haim Shani was asked to become the Finance Ministry's next director-general, the Calcalist financial newspaper reported Thursday. Shani, considered one of the country's most respected managers, would replace Yarom Ariav who announced plans to step down soon.

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz approached Shani three weeks ago but Shani has not yet responded formally. A spokeswoman for Steinitz declined to confirm the offer to Shani. "The minister has a number of candidates in mind for the job. When he picks one, we'll announce it," she said.