News updates

MP Walid Jumblat recently tweeted calling for the legalization of marijuana cultivation.  Jumblatt’s tweet did not go unnoticed among marijuana farmers in the Beqaa and notably in Baalbaq.  Al-Nahar newspaper met with a number of farmers who emphasised that the only solution is in legalizing this plant.  They considered that Jumblatt spoke on the behalf of all poor farmers in his tweet especially that these farmers were abandoned by the state who failed to support alternative farming such as wheat, potato and vegetables.  A big farmer in the region urged the state to legalise marijuana before its planting season in April.
To be noted that marijuana planting started in Baalbaq – Hermel region in the thirties of the previous century albeit on a limited scale.  Marijuana planting then expanded after 1975 with the beginning of the war as state control over the region faded.  According to Al- Nahar, authorities have yet to find a solution for this illicit farming which know-how has been transmitted from one generation to the other. Failures to combat it can be traced back to 1991 when the decision was taken by former MP Selim Hoss and with international support to prohibit marijuana, a support which was endorsed by the parliament.  These efforts were also to no avail as recorded by the failure of UNDP project to introduce alternative farming in that area.
(Source: Annahar 22 December 2014)

 

The Public Authority for Consumer Markets” (PACM) inaugurated last Saturday a new popular market located in Karantina area near the Beirut port.  The event was attended by a representative of Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Mr. Nihad Mira, who is the state commissioner within PACM, in addition to general directors and representatives of a number of Ministries.  The president and general director of the Cooperative Association, Yasser Thebian, clarified that this market was first inaugurated in 1996 only to be closed after 4 years of operations.  It is now reopened as an initiative in support of public interest and in order to spread popular markets across Lebanon.  To be noted that this market will include 100 shops of 15 square meters each to be rented at a monthly rate of LBP 286,000, a price which includes the cost of utilities and security.  The bylaws of the institution requires users to be Lebanese and to submit identity papers and a request for police clearance for all those who will be using the facility.  The principle role of that public institution is to monitor the quality of all goods without interfering in  pricing which the prerogative of shops holders.
 (Source: As-Safir 22 December 2014)

 

The North of Lebanon University Courses Center affiliated to the Saint Joseph University and headed by Fadia al Alam organized a round table discussion on gender equality in education on December 12th.  The event was organized in the North and was attended by students from the area.  It aimed at raising awareness on the importance of education as a means to attain women’s rights.
Yara Arja, journalist from An Nahar and founder of the Women’s Rights Club kicked off the discussion by presenting the current situation of women in Lebanon who fight daily for their rights and in order to educate their children and notably their daughters.  Women in Lebanon also strive for social and political participation and for gender equality. Arja also spoke about obstacles women face such as early and various societal hurdles to girls’ education due to patriarchal mindsets.
Zaher Zakour, a third year dentistry student at the USJ and a member of the Women’s Rights Club, highlighted the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in educational curricula.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 19 December 2014

The Beirut Association for Social Development launched the 13th edition of the Afkart exhibition with the slogan “we create together”.  The event kicked off yesterday at the Biel compound under the auspices of former PM Saad Hariri represented by the President of the Parliamentary Commission for education, MP Bahia al Hariri who considered that the main objective of this exhibition is to ensure the participation of organizations from across Lebanon in addition to individual initiatives which are a main feature of Lebanon and which pave the way for creativity amongst the youth.  The exhibition included 150 pavilions this year and was an outlet for Lebanese artisans who are provided with support to protect and maintain Lebanese heritage and traditions through their traditional crafts.  130 pavilions are dedicated this year to artists, sculptors and fashion designers. The remaining 20 pavilions are dedicated to traditional food.  To be noted that the exhibition will continue until the 21st of December and is open from 3pm to 9pm today and tomorrow and will also be open from 12 noon till 9 pm on December 20th and 21st.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 18 December 2014

The National Council for Lebanese Woman (NCLW) organized yesterday in collaboration with UNFPA, a consultative meeting with 52 representatives of organizations working on gender equality as well as with representatives of a number of Ministries.  The aim of the meeting was to discuss the development of an action plan for the reform of discriminatory laws which have an impact on women’s social and economic conditions.  Participants agreed on the need to follow-up on these reforms especially in what concerns the NSSF and in order to realize full gender equality in health coverage, maternity, and family benefits. Discussions also included concerns vis-à-vis the labor law which needs to be reformed to include farmers and domestic workers.
Source: Al-Nahar 18 December 2014

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim, launched yesterday the "Lebanese Strategy to support SMEs: A roadmap towards 2020"and which includes 40 initiatives, categorised by priority, and will be implemented in three stages starting now and until 2020.  Hakim noted in his address during the event that his Ministry has placed the issue of supporting SMEs on top of its priorities.  In line with this, the Ministry, in collaboration with the UNDP and the private sector, went ahead in preparing this strategy which will seek to strengthen the opportunities of setting up efficient SMEs that are capable of competing in order to create job opportunities as well as develop an economy that has an added value. The regional representative of UNDP, Luca Renda, noted that 93 to 95% of these companies employ hundreds of thousands of individuals and provide employment opportunities for many Lebanese.  He added that Lebanon currently needs to create 23000 new jobs per year to absorb university graduates and thus, helping SMEs will contribute to creating adequate opportunities for young people, and strengthen the role of women in the world of work.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar 17 December 2014

BLC bank organised an event to distribute the third edition of the “Outstanding Lebanese Award” which honor business women and men amongst owners of Lebanese companies and who have proven their distinction in their field of business. This is the first bank award of its kind in Lebanon.  Winners of the “Business of the Year” and “Woman Entrepreneur of the Year” categories each received a sum of USD 30,000 whereas the winner of the People's Choice award received a sum of USD 5,000.
The award highlighted the successes of innovative business pioneers in managing their businesses.  Contestants came from all parts of Lebanon and presented innovative business projects which reflected their aspirations.  Winners were selected by an independent expert jury including representatives from the Lebanese Central Bank, Berytech, LAU, Endeavour, International Financing Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank, Kafalat, Lebanese Businessmen Association (LBA), BLC bank, and outstanding business women. To be noted that the winner of the Business of the Year award was Sawsan Wazzan al-Jabri, and the winner of the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award was Aline Kamakian, while Christina Maria Khater won the People's Choice award.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 17 December 2014

The Tekrit section of Juma coordination of the Future Movement in Akkar organised a ceremony to celebrate the graduation of participants who completed two training courses in IT and beautician which were organised in Akkar.  Some 17 students took part in the IT training course and 14 women in the beautician course.  The event was organised in collaboration with the local women section of FM and with the participation of the general coordinator Issam Abdelqader, the administration coordinator Mohammad Taleb, and the section’s coordinator Siham al-Halabi. Abdelqader noted that these training courses seek to help young people gain IT skills, and improve the conditions and develop the skills of women in Akkar, so as to assist them in finding new work opportunities.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 17 December 2014

Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi, issued yesterday a memorandum in which he defined professions which are exclusive to Lebanese citizens but with some exceptions. Azzi clarified in a statement that his memorandum comes at a time when the Lebanese labor is facing a fierce competition and it is the duty of the Ministry to protect Lebanese labor as well as employers.  He added that this memorandum is in line with considerations related to national interest and the principle of reciprocity, the needs of the job market as well as humanitarian consideration.  The memorandum noted that all professions including administrative, banking, insurance and educational jobs will be exclusive to the Lebanese citizens, while professions in commerce, banking, accounting, engineering, and liberal professions to be exclusive to Lebanese employers.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Akhbar, Al-Safir, Al-Nahar 17 December 2014