News updates

During a workshop held last week, the president of the real estate promoter in Lebanon, Nmeir Cortas, defended his economic sector requesting that it is no longer considered as the weak link. The workshop which focused on in-depth investigation of challenges and solutions for the real estate sector was an opportunity for the participants to insist on the important role that their sector plays in investments in Lebanon. They considered that any lull in this sector will reflect negatively on the overall economy.
Cortas who called for a fixed and fair taxation system pointed out during the workshop that the real estate sector has developed as the interests of owners who were given primacy over that of investors.  He went on to say that contribution of this sector in the national economy has reached 25% thus placing it amongst the highest contributors to the economy.  Cortas pointed out that currently there are projects of a total values estimated in billions of dollars.  Cortas addressed the government and the relevant ministries and noted that the policy t tax this sector heavily is unacceptable and he warned that the various taxes that are hitting promoters from various parts will have negative repercussions namely increasing the cost of owning real estate thus depriving the Lebanon from their right to own houses.  He concluded by pointing out to the present gap in the market in terms of housing unit, as the shortage now has gone up to 80000 units and is bound to increase.
Source: Al-Hayat, Al-Safir, NNA, 14 April 2014

In preparation for the upcoming tourist summer season, the town of Ehden has completed the first phase of refurbishment which is implemented in collaboration with the Zghorta-Ehden municipality and with the financial support of the European Union.  The municipal head, Tawfiq Moawwad, clarified that this activity is part of a comprehensive initiative entitled “Ehden’s Mayday is a window to our history and a hope to our future” and will be completed by next summer.  Moawwad also pointed out that the refurbishment plan covers the whole square including the historical church of Mar Mama and reaching the Saint George cathedral and will include the front windows of several shops as well as old stone buildings which have become restaurants and cafes in addition to upgrading the infrastructure and stone pavements and finally installing a lighting system that is harmonious with the traditional style of the town.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, 14 April 2014

The Azem arts and crafts school, “Azem Zaman”, inaugurated last week its annual exhibition entitled “Tripoli Loves Life”.  The exhibition takes place at the Azem cultural centre “Bayt el Fann” in Mina with the presence and under the auspices of Ms. May Mikati, the former PM’s wife.  In her opening address, Mikati expressed her admiration of the exhibition and the products and work of the graduates of the Azem arts and crafts school.  She also highlighted the importance of empowering young women and men at all levels as the nation needs the creative potentials of young people.
A number of NGOs and institutions from North Lebanon are taking part in this event namely the Safadi Foundation, l’Artisan du Liban, Fista centre for special education, Wa7hat al Fara7h for individuals with special needs and others.  The event seeks to strengthen cultural events in Tripoli as well as helps the students of Azem arts and crafts school in marketing their products as well as opens new opportunities and horizons for them.
Source: Al-Diyar 14 April 2014

Despite the statement last week by the director general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud, during a meeting convened by the gathering of Bekaa Farmers at the Chamber of Trade, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and the Beqaa, that the Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the issue of compensation to farmers, in its meeting of April 8th, however, the minutes of the meeting which were published online did not include any reference to this matter.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the agricultural sector in the Beqaa has suffered major from losses in this year’s harvest as a result of frost which hit the area during the month of March and became known as the “black death”.  Indeed, damages have affected 70 to 90% of the harvest according to estimations by experts and as per the statement of the head of the Popular Bloc, Elias Skaf.  Skaf added that the government remains absent to date and has failed to do anything to compensate farmers and to allow them to overcome this tough period.  He called on the government to work seriously and promptly to provide urgent financial help to farmers in the Beqaa.
Source: Al-Nahar 11 April 2014

To read the minutes of the Cabinet meeting of April 8th 2014, go to: Cabinet’s MoM

For more information about the frost disaster and its drastic consequences, please refer to the news piece that was published previously on the WEEPortal, entitled:
Farmers of North Lebanon and Beqaa seek government compensation for frost damages and await the decision of the Cabinet, on 9/4/2014

The Daily Star newspaper published an interview today with Gilbert Ghostine, president of Diageo Asia Pacific.  The interview focused on what is known as “Plan W”, the company’s women economic empowerment programme which was launched in Lebanon recently.
Ghostine highlighted that Plan W, an international initiative, seeks to empower women through learning, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship.  In Lebanon, the project focuses on three main areas, namely: communication, accounting and leadership. He added that Lebanon’s programme, in collaboration with the local NGO Entraide Professionelle, targets all Lebanese women particularly those living in rural areas. Ghostine indicated that Plan W launched its pilot programme in Zahle, where more than 170 women have received training to start or develop their small-scale business plans.  He added that the Programme is then moving to Batroun and will continue all over the country.
It is worth mentioning that Plan W programme was conceived in 2012 as a corporate social responsibility CSR initiative worth $10 million, with a target to empower 2 million women by 2017 across 13 Asian countries. Diageo is an alcoholic beverage company selling household names such as Smirnoff, Johnny Walker and Tanqueray and it is the only alcoholic beverage company to sign the U.N. Women’s Empowerment Principles.  Furthermore, Diageo inaugurated its WE Journalism awards this year, which honor those in the media world who’ve fought for women’s empowerment.
Source: The Daily Star 10 April 2014

The Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) organized a press conference last Tuesday to share the results of the national franchising industry study implemented by the organization with a Euro 160000 grant from the European Union.  The event was attended the EU ambassador to Lebanon, Angelina Eichhorst, and was held under the auspices of the Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim.

The president of LFA, Charles Arbid, shared the result of the study which was based on a field survey covering hundreds of businesses across Lebanon and which showed that franchises enjoy an important share of 4% in the GDP with a total value of USD 1.5 billion, compared to 2% for the EU and 5% in the USA. The study also indicated that the franchise sector employs 100000 individuals, while the number of franchises in Lebanon reached 1100 units, which operate some  5500 selling points, concentrated mostly in Beirut followed by Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon.  The study also showed that GCC countries are the main export market for franchises (75%) whilst the EU came second with 44%.

Eichhorst noted for her part that 53% of investors, local and international companies are afraid to invest in Lebanon because of the present security situation.  She called on the Lebanese authorities to support the private sector through protecting Lebanese products so that it is able to compete in international markets.  She criticized the fact that a number of legislations related to illegal competition are still pending either in the Cabinet or in parliament including laws on intellectual property and the protection of trade relations.  She also reiterated declared her support to Lebanon’s membership in the World Trade Organisation.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Hayat, Al-Nahar 9 April 2014

Farmers from North Lebanon and the Beqaa organized a sit-in last Sunday in the village of Sha3t in the Beqaa in response to a call by the Federation of Syndicates of Lebanese Farmers in Lebanon and the Regional Cooperative Union in the Beqaa.  Farmers protested the negligence of the state vis-à-vis their losses resulting from the recent frost which hit the region last Monday.  Farmers called on the government to proceed with a speedy assessment of damages followed by direct compensations as well as the set up of an insurance fund for natural disasters as a precautionary measure. Thaer Zoughaib spoke on behalf of the Union of Farmers’ Syndicates and noted that the frost  wave have caused a disaster in the agricultural sector which hit fruit trees, greenhouses and field crops and where damages ranged between 70 to 100%.  Within the same vein, farmers in Akkar expressed similar discontent vis-à-vis consecutive losses they are bearing this year as a result of climatic disturbances.  Potato farmers in Akkar suffered major losses (more than 80% of their annual production) as a result of frost damages.  Abdulhamid Sakr, a member of the Farmers Federation in Lebanon, noted that a popular and wide ranging mobilization will be undertaken by farmers, especially potato formers in Akkar in coordination with the local municipalities in order to address the situation.

To be noted that the Gathering of Beqaa Farmers had organized a meeting last week at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahleh and the Beqaa to discuss the disaster caused by frost disaster.  The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud, the Minister of Industry, Hussein Hajj Hassan, as well as a number of local MPs, farmers, and heads of Farmers’ Syndicates in the Beqaa.  Hajj Hussein noted that the first step of the government should be to mandate the army and the higher relief council to set up assessment commissions to survey damages using speedy and accurate mechanisms and tools.  He called on farmers not to exaggerate their losses because if figures are deemed too high, this will force the cabinet to reduce compensations.  On a related vein, the Parliamentary Commission for Agriculture met last Monday to discuss the same issue.  Its recommendations were referred to the Cabinet who is due to discuss them shortly.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-mustaqbal 8 April 2014

The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayeb, convened a meeting yesterday attended by the Presidents of the Chambers of Trade, Industry and Agriculture from the different Lebanese Mohafazat in addition to the Director General of the Minister of Agriculture, Louis Lahhoud.  The meeting discussed the need to improve agricultural production through introducing new alternative products to replace traditional and old ones, in a move aimed to assist farmers in accessing new markets while preserving current vital markets for Lebanese agriculture.
Shehayeb also noted that efforts will continue to open new foreign markets for Lebanese agricultural products notably olive oil, apples, honey, and wine which continues to expand into new markets abroad.  He also noted that Lebanon will participate this year in the Berlin wine exhibition after participating last year in the one held in Paris. Shehayeb insisted on the importance of supporting farmers and helping them during the current difficult circumstances and he reiterated his commitment to developing this economic sector so as to help farmers hold on to their land and improve their livelihoods.
Furthermore, Minister Shehayeb also met with the heads of the cooperatives of Hasbaya and Marjeyoun with whom he discussed issues related to agricultural cooperatives and ways to support them especially in the marketing of olive oil.
Source: Al-Safir 9 April 2014

The Minister of Telecommunication, Boutros Harb, announced during a press conference held yesterday, the transfer of financial entitlements of municipalities,generated form the revenues of fixed telephone lines and covering the last three quarters of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. Some 888 municipalities, are expected to benefit form the transfers of the proceeds totaling some LBP 56 billion, each municipality according to its number of phone subscriptions. Furthermore, Harb indicated that through this move, the ministry will be paying it full dues to municipalities and that is until the end of the first quarter of 2014, adding that funds will be transferred directly to the municipalities’ bank accounts at Banque du Liban during the next two days.
The Minister also stressed the key role of municipalities in promoting equitable development at local community levels, through carrying out social, humanitarian and livelihoods development initiatives targeting their citizens. He added that revenues collected from subscriptions of phones constitute one of the most important resources of municipalities. He also indicated that the Ministry ought to immediately transfer the entitlements of municipalities at the end of each quarter, so that they are able to invest in development projects. Harb also indicated that the ministry is aiming to organize a workshop shortly in order to explore ways for increasing the number of phone subscriptions in each mohafazat and thus increase the revenues of municipalities, particularly of those villages located in remote areas.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 8 April 2014

The Lebanese Mountain trekking kicked off yesterday on a journey to raise environmental awareness.  The trail started from the municipality of Marje3yoon in the south, and ended in 3endakt in Akkar, North Lebanon, with the participation of some 25 young men and women, including 9 expatriates.
The headline of this year’s edition of the trekking event is “Walk to preserve mountain trails”, and will span over one full month. Participants will stop over in various towns and will be hosted in rural lodges so as to promote rural tourism and traditional Lebanese cuisine. Each participant will hold a special passport issued by the "Lebanon Mountain Trail" association, and signed by the mayor of visited towns. Some of the participants plan to walk the entire path, i.e. the distance of 470 km, while others will join at different junctions of the trail, thus rising their total number to 100 participants.
Source: Al-Nahar 8 April 2014
For more information about the trail or for participation, please check the following link: Lebanon Mountain Trail