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Concerns over food safety forces Southern Lebanese families back to the land

4-2-2015

Al-Diyyar newspaper published a report on the wild plants of South Lebanon and the reverse movement to land and its resources after widespread contamination and corruption of food safety. According to the newspaper, the southern fields compensated well this year weed lovers after last year’s draught. Popular wild plants include “assaifi, duraira, baqra, hibiscus, fennel, wild cabbage, evergreen senoura and humaidah”. Women villagers, who look forward to the blooming “saliq” (wild plant) season, use these plants as essential ingredients in their traditional meals. The “baqleh” (watercress) for example, is a main Nabatiyeh dish prepared with onions, cracked wheat (burghul) and olive oil. Another delicacy of the southern village is “al assoura”, which is a mix of wild alat herb and humaidah fried with olive oil and onions. To note, that gathering wild herbs is not confined to women only. Men also join in. There has been an increasing demand on “saliq” after people cut down on consuming vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini mostly treated with toxic pesticides.  

In a similar note, a “saliq” lover, Muhamad Qarqoor, said: “the watercress baqleh is widely popular among our generation, unlike the young people who prefer fast food, namely chicken and meat. However, he stressed the importance and noted a growing back-to-roots movement in the country.

(Source: Al-Diyyar, February 3, 2015)

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Partnership between Wild Discovery and Saint Joseph University for hands-on training of tourism and hospitality students

4-2-2015

Wild Discovery last Friday renewed its partnership with the School of Arts and Sciences in Saint Joseph University ahead of launching the third edition of the Sales Training Program. The program comes within the framework of various citizenship initiatives, and to be kicked off on October 13, 2015, with the aim to train human capital and prepare fresh graduates to enter the Lebanese labor market, particularly, in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Present at the signing session, were the School of Arts and Sciences General Director, Sandro Saadeh, Human Resources Director, Mireille Qattar, Communication Director, Johny Mdawwar, the School’s Dean, Christine Babikian, Head of the Georgraphy Department, Rita Zaarour and Head of Cultural and Tourism Planning division, Liliane Barakat.

What is new in the 2015 edition is the placement of St Joseph students in the various divisions of Wild Discovery with paid part-time and full time training and learning periods, starting February, 2015. The training will qualify as credits toward graduation in the division of cultural and touristic planning, the Department of Geography (3 and 6 credits respectively).
(Source: Annahar, February 4, 2015).

 

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Haj Hassan criticize past economic policies and calls for boosting exports

3-2-2015

The Minister of Industry, Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan, said “the Lebanese industry boasts high quality and a substantial human and material capital, as well as education, expertise, know-how, communication, external relations and marketing capabilities. This can be clearly seen in the low rate of returned items and goods (4%).” Haj Hassan was speaking after a visit to industrial plants located in the North Matn area, which hosts 30% of Lebanon’s factories, and this upon invitation from the North Matn Industrialists Grouping. The Minister expressed his concerns over challenges facing the Lebanese economy, mainly persistent and growing trade deficit which has reached USD 16 billion while the unemployment rate exceeded 25%. Meanwhile and according to the Minister, public debts and Gross Domestic Product recorded USD 67 billion and USD 47 billion respectively. He criticized the overall negative context, namely past economic policies which marginalized the role of agriculture and industry, resulting in both falling to 6% and 11% of GDP respectively. This he said, resulted in the loss of employment opportunities by many while adding: “It is not acceptable that we continue to import USD 17 to 20 billion in goods annually while our exports do not exceed a mere USD 3 billion. Minister Haj Hassan concluded by saying: “We are proud of our local industry; I am pressing for increased government action to enhance exports.”, adding: “We aim at cutting the deficit in the balance of foreign trade by enforcing the appropriate measures, like introducing protective tariffs and import authorisations, particularly so since the government is unable, presently, to offer the necessary financial support to exporters.” 
 
(Source: As-Safir& Al-Diyar, February 3, 2015)
 

 

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The women of Aidamoon, Akkar: Family life is based on cooperation & “Sitr wal ghata”

3-2-2015

Al Mustaqbal newspaper published in today’s issue, February 3, 2015, a report on perceptions of family and gender relationships in the village of Aidamoon, in Akkar, North Lebanon. The report interviewed a number of women who all agreed that family life is based on cooperation between women and men, and also relies on covering up (al Sitr wal ghata) between spouses. During the interview, Um Muhammad boasted saying, “We in Aidamoon do not feel that men are superior to us. Women’s and men’s rights have their special understanding in our culture,” adding, “women in our village are workers, par excellence: lawyers, public employees or state workers, besides being ideal housewives.” In an answer to a question regarding the use of violence against wives, and perceptions of those men who try to subdue their wives, Abu Muhammad sitting next to his spouse, confirmed, “Any man who beats his wife is a coward, the least said.” Whereas Um Khaled stated: “We take care of each other even in Mooneh production: Men and women work hand in hand without any difference between us. Both household providers, male and female, team up during the olive season. They dry figs and prepare tomato paste, pomegrenade molasses and cracked wheat- burghul together.” Um Khaled added, “Men lose their temper a bit, however, a nice word would clear the misunderstanding.”
(Source: Al-Mustaqbal, February 3, 2015).

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Legalization of cannabis: Caught between supporters for economic return and opponents who fear for the youth

30-1-2015

An Nahar newspaper published a report last Saturday on cannabis farming in Lebanon.  The report includes interviews with economic expert Marwan Iskandar and Dr. Atef Majdalani, the president of the Parliamentary Commission for Health.  Iskandar expressed his support for various calls to legalize cannabis from an economic and health perspective (view http://bit.ly/1CGghxK).  He clarified that returns from cannabis are estimated at 2 billion USD, i.e. 5% of the GNP.  He added that Lebanon is in great need of such a measure given the sluggish development growth.  Iskandar considered that legalizing cannabis will produce a high number of employment particularly for Syrian families living in the areas suitable for these plants.  He added that Lebanon’s capacity as a host country would improve if the country is healthier economically.  Iskandar was asked about what the international community would say if Lebanon was to legalise cannabis.  To this, he replied that he has already discussed this matter with the UNICEF representative who said that it is an idea worth considering.  However, he noted that he is not optimistic about such law materializing because of the current political mindset.
MP Majdalani warned for his part against the danger of such law particularly on the youth and the impact on the international community.  Majdalani said that cannabis has absolutely no medicinal value (!) and is not included in any pharmaceutical (!!) and is not approved by any international health institution.  When asked about its economic benefits, Majdalani said that this will help it become commonplace in society and this will negatively affect production in addition to the subsequently high rehabilitation cost of addicts! To be noted that cannabis is planted on circa 10 to 30000 dunnums.  Each gram sells for USD 15.-  Thus, each dunnum produces and income of USD 10-15000.  Finally, it is to be mentioned that law enforcement by security forces destroys each year some 1000 to 65000 hectars of cannabis.
 
(Source: Annahar 26 January, 2015)
 

 

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Lebanese trademarks (Franchises) prosper especially in Gulf and African countries

30-1-2015

An Nahar newspaper published an article last Monday including an interview with the director of Hodema for consulting services, Naji Morkoss, about the franchise sector in Lebanon.  Morkoss noted that Lebanese franchises have started to be exported since the early nineties.  Their number aboard has now reached 50 trademarks which is relatively high for a small country.  According to Morkoss, exported franchises normally related to intermediate products which can easily compete with similar products in the host market.  Examples include restaurants such as Zaatar w Zeit, Leila, Margharita and Shawarmanji.  Morkoss added that Lebanese franchises are mostly exported to the Gulf countries in view of the increasing number of their malls.  The Gulf is followed by African countries because of it large relatively large population and the significant size of the Lebanese diaspora.  Most popular franchise relate to food such as restaurant Umm Shareef which is present in Jeddah and Dubai, Borj el Hammam which is now established in Jordan and Kuwait.
(Source: L’Orient le Jour 26 January, 2015)
 

 

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A new mechanism to stimulate the food safety campaign as private companies show laxity on the subject

29-1-2015

The current Minister of Health, Wael Abou Faour, convened a Press Conference yesterday during which he announced the new mechanism to follow for the on-going food safety campaign.  The new approach consists of divulging the name of the concerned institution, informing it to stop selling the non-compliant product/s and returning for a monitoring visit a few days later.  Abou Faour threatened that he will shut down any institution which will continue to sell non-compliant products which will be destroyed.  According to Abou Faour, the decision to adopt these new measures is due to the diminishing interest in the campaign among private companies, as some of the non complying companies listed on the Ministry’s website did not even contact the Ministry to find out which of their product/s have failed the safety tests.
(Source: Annahar, As-Safir, Al-Diyar, Al-Akhbar & Al-Mustaqbal 29 January, 2015)
 

 

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Farmers in Beqaa start delivering the tobacco harvest and demand an increase in prices

28-1-2015

The delivery of the tobacco harvest in Beqaa – Hermel has begun last week with the three reception centres witnessing intense activity during the early hours of the day.  Farmers were disappointed by the low prices they received for their harvest.  Farmer Hussein el Shell told An Nahar newspaper that the price per kilo did not exceed LBP 10000 this year compared to LBP 11000 – 12500 for last year.  He added that this is situation is unfair for Beqaa farmers especially that the production cost this year was higher because of the draught and the rise in labor costs and organic fertilizers. In a related vein, the executive bureau of the union of tobacco growers in the Beqaa issued a statement last Friday demanding an increase in prices in view of galloping production costs and the economic hardships faced by farmers.  The statement also called for an increase in production from 300 Kgs per growing license to a minimum of 400 Kgs as well as the inclusion of tobacco farmers in the National Social Security Fund scheme.
 
(Source: Annahar 28 January 2015)
 

 

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Launch of the Lebanese-Chinese businesspeople coalition with 30% of women

28-1-2015

The Lebanese-Chinese Businesspeople gathering was launched yesterday at the Adnan Kassar premises for the Arab Economy under the auspices of the Minister of Industry Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, and the Minister of Economy and Trade, Mr. Alain hakim and with the participation of the president of economic institutions Adnan Kassar, the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Jiang Jiang, and the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Mohammed Shoucair in addition to many ministers, MPs and diplomats.  This coalition was set up by a group of merchants, industrialists, investors and entrepreneurs headed by industrialists Ali al Abdallah who noted that business people from various sectors may join this group which main purpose is to help Lebanon and support Lebanese exports to China and address all obstacles they encounter,  Abdallah added that main exports to China include olive oil, olives, apples and wine which are promising but need further attention as experiences in exporting to China remain thus far quite shy.  The role of the Coalition will be to pave the way to facilitate the entry of Lebanese products into China.  Abdallah concluded by emphasizing the capital role of business women who make up 30% of the current membership of the Coalition.  He also pointed out to the important role that Chinese women plan in the economy of China.
 
(Source: As-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal & Al-Diyar 28 January 2015)
 

 

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Parliamentary Sub-Commission reviews the women quota and refuses to endorse it

27-1-2015

The Parliamentary Sub-Commission for Administration and Justice entrusted with the review of the electoral law met yesterday and was presided by MP Nawwar al Sa7hili and with the participation of its MP members in addition to the representative of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ziad Ayub, the representative of the NCLW, Fadia Kiwan, the representative of the Arab Centre for Development, Chantal Sarkis in addition to Khulood Kassem, representing the Lebanese Mothers Association and Joelle Abu Far7hat and Paola Majdalini representing Women in Front.  The Commission listened to the views and comments of women organizations regarding the women quota but declined to endorse it in the absence of a prior agreement on the final form of the electoral law and the divisions of the various conscriptions.
On a related vein, Al Mustaqbal newspaper noted in its issue of today that various CSOs presented a written study in which they outline the distribution of women according to circumscriptions.  As such, if the system will adopt the proportional representation system, then the women quota will be 30% and for reserved seats.  If the adopted system is that of the majority rule, then the same quota will be divided by half into reserved and elected seats.  In case of a mixed system, then the electoral lists should be arranged in such a way that women’s access to parliament will be guaranteed.
 
(Source: Al-Mustqbal 27 January, 2015)
 

 

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