New tobacco factory in Bikfaya creates additional job and marketing opportunities || Newspapers (Arabic)

The Minister of Finance, Mohammed Safadi, laid the founding stone for the start up of the Bikfaya tobacco factory during a special event for the occasion.  Safadi noted the importance of this developmental initiative with the start of the refurbishment of the premises of the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs.  According to the Minister, this will create new job opportunities for the youth, will limit migration. This is to be added to the current direct support that the Regie provides to tobacco farmers through purchasing their harvest at subsidized costs.  

The Minister also noted that the success of the Regie has contributed to strengthening the national economy and increasing income from production and trade which have resulted in overall revenue of 535 billion LBP in 2011 of which 100 billion were transferred in 2011 and LBP 150 billion in 2012.

The Director General of the Regie, Nassif Saklawi, noted for his part that this is a vital initiative which will allow the export of tobacco according to international standards.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal 15 March 2013