News updates

The Ministry of Social Affairs organized last week in Baabdat a handicraft exhibition entitled “our heritage”.  The event was implemented within the framework of the project entitled “encouraging and developing crafts and handmade products”.  The director of the MOSA development services in Baabdat, May Shamaa, noted that this event is the culmination of concerted efforts between the project and the MOSA centres in Baabdat and Salima and as part of the MOSA social endeavor to support and develop the handicraft sector given its economic, cultural and heritage importance. The MOSA representative, Suhad Maati, noted that the project aiming to encourage and develop handmade products also seeks to raise the visibility of Lebanese heritage and traditional crafts and that is through the implementation of a number of training workshops in contemporary soap making.

Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal 8 September 2014

The Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each of the Municipalities of Baalbek, Hasbayya, Kawkaba and Aramoun and that is within the framework of the programme entitled “Establishment of a network pilot sites to evaluate innovative technologies and sustainable forest reforestation” and which aims at strengthening reforestation activities in areas selected by these municipalities.
The president of the Lebanese University, Adnan al Sayyed Hassan, noted in his speech during the signing event, that implementation will take place in synergy with the University as the Faculty of Agriculture will provide technical and academic skill and will contribute to identifying the needs of the eco-system in all of the selected areas.  He added that this new project will strengthen the concept of administrative decentralization, the collaboration between institutions of the public sector and various local governance structures which represent the development aspirations of local community.  Sayyed Hassan further added that the programme falls within the framework of the Agriculture and Rural Development Project which is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the European Union.

Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 4 September 2014

The BLOM Lebanon PMI for the month of August 2014 showed a sharp decline from 47.9 to 45.5 over the past six months.  The main components of the indicator, namely production, new orders and employment, witnessed a sharper decline than in July and companies’ level of procurements retracted while deliveries to suppliers improved in view of the regression in levels of purchases. The report which is issued by BLOM notes that the decline of production within the private sector is the most evident since the month of February in view of the security problems and their impact on tourism.  Decline in the level of orders is said to be due to the decline in exports which prompted companies to reduce their staff and limit purchasing which, for its part, scored the lowest level of decline since the start of the PMI publishing back in May 2013.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, 4 September 2014

To review this report, please go to the following link: BLOM Lebanon PMI

Nine CSOs, namely: Anti Racism Movement, ALEF, HRW, Insan Association, Lebanese Centre for Human Rights, Legal Agenda, Migrant Community Center, Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF), AJEM, issued a joint statement yesterday condemning the recent decision of Internal Security and which stipulates the suspension of residency permit renewal for a number of low paid migrant workers as well as to their underage children born in Lebanon.  The signatories noted that this new decision violates the right to family life.  The statement also noted that some 12 migrant women who have been residing in Lebanon for prolonged periods, have informed the CSOs of being denied residency renewal for them and for their children.  Some were told that they do not have the right to have children in Lebanon and were asked to leave the country some during a period of no more than 48 hours.
The statement also noted, based on sources within General Security that GS issued a new order related to children of low paid migrant workers as well as their fathers and mothers.  The same source added that GS has not yet responded to the several appeals issued by CSOs requesting to receive a copy of this new decision.  The statement noted that, previously, migrant workers could apply for one-year residency permits for their children until 4 years of age and continue to apply for residency if their children enroll in schools.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le jour 4 September 2014

An Nahar newspaper published a report about the summer festivals in the Shuf area which, unlike in other parts of Lebanon, were carried out according to plans notwithstanding the current political and security situation.  As such, and according to tourism coordinator, Kamal Abu Assi, villages in the Shuf had some 65,000 visitors this year compared to 60,000 for last year and that is as a result of the various activities organized by the municipalities and other organizations.
Abu Assi told An Nahar that despite the difficult general context, the Beiteddine festival kicked off as planned in addition to other festivals in the region and that is within the framework of a development marketing plan for the areas.  Festivals include Khraybet al-Shuf, Baruk, Maasser al-Shuf and Mresti.  Abu Assi added that Maasser Shuf will inaugurate a hiking activity as of September 7th which consists of a 17 kilometers walk to the Maasser el Shuf cedar forest.  He expects some 1500 civilians and army forces to join this hike.  Within the same vein, the Botmeh el Shuf municipality celebrated last week the launch of its annual village festival under the auspices of the president of the Democratic Encounter, MP Walid Jumblat represented by his son Teymur.

Source: Al-Nahar 1 September 2014

The Akkar Development Network organized a graduation ceremony for 150 Lebanese and Syrian women who participated in the activities of the Women’s Empowerment project in Akkar which was funded by MEPI.  The event included an exhibition to market the handicrafts, produced by participants during vocational training, and which included some 700 chocolates, accessories, soap and candle items.
To be noted that this project which was implemented by the Akkar Development Network extended over nine months and covered 4 areas of Akkar, namely Bebnine, Mechha, Tekrit and Meshmesh. The project aimed at providing women with an opportunity to develop their manual, entrepreneurial and commercial skills in addition to helping them take initiatives to design and implement small projects according to their personal and financial capacities.  The event was concluded with a discussion seminar with the participation of four women who shared their experiences with local women in Akkar while addressing issues related to environment, politics, and human rights.

Source: Al-Nahar 1 September 2014

The Lebanese Cultural Association organized last week its fifth annual handicrafts exhibition, under the auspices of former PM Saad Hariri represented by the Future Movement coordinator in Tripoli, Mustapha 3allooch.  The President of the Association, Omar Kabbara, noted that this exhibition, which was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was much needed by artisans so that they continue with their work and that it also contributes to local development in Tripoli.  He added that Tripoli only needs a bit of support to make a come back on the tourism map. The head of the Tripoli Municipality, Nader Ghazal, noted that all similar activities should enjoy support especially that these are trying times for all.  He added that any such activity was likely to shed light on Tripoli’s values and heritage.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 1 September 2014

The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb, signed an MoU with AVSI, an Italian NGO to implement a project entitled the "Comprehensive Education Project" which includes the Ministry's technical agricultural school operating in 7 regions in Lebanon.  The signing took place during a ceremony attended by the EU ambassador Angelina Eichhorst.
The head of the higher agricultural education department, Abir Abulkhudud, presented a summary of the EU-funded project and its key areas of work which will include: training of students in technical agricultural and human skills, training of 131 teachers, developing a technical training curriculum, refurbishing the agricultural schools, and organising summer training for students.  Chehayeb noted that the project will target the agriculture schools in Akkar, Batrun, Metn, Chuf, Nabatieh, Marje3yoon and Baalbek.  He hoped that the project will meet its objectives and reiterated that developing agricultural technical schools is a key pillar of his Ministry and that improving the quality of these schools will reflect positively on agricultural production and will result in the development of agricultural areas.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal 28 August 2014

As Safir newspaper published a report on basket weaving which has declined significantly after the flooding of local markets with plastic products, and competition from cheaper and much more elaborate Chinese baskets. This has resulted in limited demands on traditional baskets and in a decrease in their level of production.  The report also noted that despite the limited markets for traditional baskets, yet many families living close to water, such as in Amshit, Koura, Zgharta and Kefraya, depend on basket weaving for their livelihoods especially during the summer where there is a demand for baskets to package summer fruits (figs, grapes, etc...) and flower arrangements. Although basket weaving is difficult, requires patience and ruins hands, women excel in it although men dominate this craft.  Charbel Francis, who learned this trade from his father and grandfather, insists on pursuing basket weaving despite of its difficulty because it provides him with significant income.  He revealed that buying a bunch of bamboo stalks will cost him LBP 35000 and that he can produce 10 baskets each of which can be sold for LBP 4-6000 according to size.

Source: Al-Safir 28 August 2014

The President of the Federation of Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and of the Mount Lebanon Chamber (FCCML), Mohammed Shucair, held a meeting yesterday with the President of the Lebanese Phsyically Handicapped Union (LPHU) and the Regional Arab Bureau of the International Organisation of Disabled People, Sylvana Lakkis accompanied by the coordinator of the economic inclusion coordinator, Doha Ya7hfufi to discuss ways of cooperation for mainstreaming people with special needs into the job market.
Shucair emphasized that he will work with the private sector to encourage institutions to recruit people with special needs through adopting clear criteria and laws so as not to leave this matter to the whims of employers. He also added that he will try and develop an incentive package to encourage such institutions to absorb disabled people, and will support studies which explain the economic and moral benefits of absorbing the capacities of people with disabilities.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 28 August 2014