News updates

The Lebanese Women League and the Imam Sadr Foundation (ISF) inaugurated their spring handicraft exhibition at the UNESCO palace last week.  The event was attended by guests and representatives of women organisations.  During her inaugural speech, Ms. Maliha Sadr noted that the Sadr Foundation is now offering psychological counseling in all their health centres whilst their Early Childhood intervention ECIL centre is now hosting student interns from the Lebanese and Saint Joseph Universities within the framework of the practicum training programme for speech therapy and psycho-motor treatment.  Sadr added that ISF is also working on launching a new programme to provide services for patients with cerebral palsy.
Source: Al-Safir 17 March 2014

Hospitality Services convened a press conference yesterday in Beirut and under the auspices of Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, to announce the launch of its 21st annual hospitality and food forum, Horeca 2014. The event will kick off on the first of April at the BIEL forum according to the general director of Hospitality Services, Joumana Damous Salameh who noted that despite the difficult situation of the market this year, the venue has been completely booked as Horeca has received sufficient support from the unions and syndicates of hotels as well as other related bodies. The Minister of Tourism highlighted the fact that several conferences and exhibitions kicked off last week which has contributed to reinvigorating the local economy as well as giving impetus to several economic sectors especially tourism.  He added that exhibitions and conference tourisms are key pillars of Lebanese tourism.  
The President of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industrialists, Mounir Bsat, noted that food processed products have scored a tangible growth during last year and since the start of this year according to the statistics released by customs authorities.  The sector has also benefited from increased local consumption and especially with the increase in the number of Syrian displaced, which compensated the fall backs in the tourism sector. The sector was also boosted by increased demand for Lebanese food products in external markets, adding that exports of Lebanese food products now reach some 75 countries. Bsat also spoke about the national day for local food products which is being organised parallel to Horeca, and under the slogan: “creation and innovation in the food processing industry”.
Bsat also told An Nahar that exporting should be the objective of every Lebanese industrialist especially those involved in food as the Lebanese market is limited and, as such, industrialists should seize the opportunity of the large Lebanese and Arab diasporas throughout the globe especially Latin America. However, he acknowledged that exports to these countries face hurdles mainly the absence of support or subsidies to the private sector which hinders the opening of new markets. Bsat highlighted the importance of exhibitions such as Horeca, which play a critical role in increasing sales and exports.  He noted the important participation of Lebanon in the Gulf Food 2014 exhibition which recently took place in Dubai whilst noting that the Syndicate is currently in charge of preparing the Lebanese pavilion of the SIAL 2014 exhibition which will take place in Paris next October.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, 14 March 2014

For further information about the mentioned exhibitions please review:

Horeca 21st exhibition kicks off in the beginning of April with 350 exhibitors and 18 thousand expected visitors, on 26/2/2014

Inauguration of the Lebanese pavilion at the Dubai 2014 Gulf Food exhibit, on 25/2/2014

UNHCR organized yesterday a graduation ceremony for 245 women and men trainees, of whom 75 were Lebanese and 170 Syrians, and who took part in a series of vocational workshops including beauty and hairdressing, crafts and sewing, assistant cooking chefs, ICT, English and French languages, and literacy courses.
Senior Field Coordinator at UNHCR in Akkar, Frédéric Cussigh, indicated in his keynote speech at the ceremony that these workshops were conducted in collaboration with Danish Refugees Council and Ministry of Social Affairs, with EU and Italian government financial support, and aimed at building the capacities of trainees, help them to secure employment, and assist in the social integration of displaced Syrian men and women in the Lebanese local communities. The ceremony was concluded with the distribution of certificates and the launching of a crafts exhibition. Source: Al-Mustaqbal 14 March 2014

An Nahar newspaper published yesterday a report on the rights of the different kinds of vulnerable workers in Lebanon especially those whose rights are violated on a daily basis.  The report concludes by raising doubts on the intentions of NGOs whose concerns focus entirely on women migrant workers.  According to lawyer Rami Aoun, there are more than 40000 Egyptian workers in Lebanon of whom only 17000 work legally with residency and work permits whilst others work illegally on the black market, mostly in petrol stations.  The Lebanese Observatory for the Rights of Workers highlighted the state of discrimination against a large number of Sudanese workers in addition to their plight with the UNHCR and with security forces, also noting the continuous aggressions against Syrian workers and their frequent accusations of various ills.
On the other hand, the current Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi, noted after his meeting with Philippine Ambassador, Leah Ruiz, that Lebanon is ready to facilitate the work of Philippine houseworkers whilst respecting and protecting their rights against trafficking, and in accordance with standards of the ILO and the International Human Rights Conventions and the Lebanese Labor Law.  He asked the Philippines to lift its ban on travel of its national workers to Lebanon.  Azzi refused, however, that migrant workers are given privileges that are over and beyond those of Lebanese workers (!?).  Although the Nahar report highlights the plight of migrant workers and points out to the exploitation by employers including long working hours, refusing to pay salaries and other practices that violate rights, the report nevertheless wondered why some NGOs do focus solely on supporting migrant women workers.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 12 February 2014

Afaaq Association organised yesterday a meeting to discuss prospects for protecting and developing the growing of olive trees in Wadi Taym area, and held at the Kamal Jumblatt Cultural and Social Centre in Dahr Al-A7mar in Rashayya caza.
At the end of the meeting, the participants issued a recommendation paper which highlighted the importance of olive trees that covers 25% of total agricultural lands. The recommendations included the following:: introducing a tax of 8000 LBP/per liter of imported olive oil, commit the Lebanese army and welfare associations partners of MOSA to buy Lebanese olive oil for their consumption, encouraging municipalities to actively engage in the development of this sector, introduce measures that impose on merchants the clear display of the country origin of foreign olive oil intended for domestic consumption , finally, to impose on owners of oil pressing units the issuing of quality and quantity certificates for all quantities of olive oil processed in their units.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 12 March 2014

The new Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Hajj Hassan, received the day before yesterday from the Delegation of the North Metn Industrialists a memorandum including their demands submitted to the Ministry for quite sometime ago and which are believed to be beneficial to the economy and the local industry.  Hajj Hassan stressed during the meeting the importance of increased investment in industrial zones.  He noted that what is needed from the Gathering of North Metn Industrialists is that they submit a dossier on this matter for the perusal of the Ministry of Industry and so that it is able to follow it up with other relevant ministries, public offices and concerned municipalities. The Minister disclosed that he has just signed a memorandum relevant to the industrial zone in Chekka.
The demands of the North Metn industrialists include the following:

1. A full waiver on income tax for all the products in this area and as per the practices in developed countries as this will encourage export and will attract foreign investments;
2. Creating a fund to subsidize the cost of fuel for high consumption factories which can be financed through the imposition of fees on foreign goods dumped in the local markets.
3. Coordinating with the relevant authorities the maintenance and refurbishment of the infrastructure in areas witnessing growth but where public services are still weak
4. Work with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to create permanent civil defense centers in industrial zones equipped with the needed human and human resources to fight factory fires
5. Work with local urban planning authorities to raise the investment factor in industrial zones especially given the rise in the price of real estate and given the limited availability of qualified industrial zones able to absorb new investments
6. Work with the Ministry of Energy to allow industrial zones to produce their own electrical energy and to rotate its production amongst industrialists during working hours and with citizens after peak industrial hours which is likely to diminish the cost of energy borne by industrialists and decrease the pressure on the Lebanese Electricity Company

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 11 March 2014

The new Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chayeb, noted during his meeting yesterday with the National Federation of Copperative Organisations in Lebanon that cooperative work is key for developing the agricultural sector in Lebanon and for providing developmental tools for farmers in remote rural areas for Lebanon.  He added that the best way to provide equitable aid to the sector is through cooperatives.  Chayeb also reviewed the current work of cooperatives in Lebanon while noting that 70% of cooperatives are agricultural in nature.

Chayeb had received the visit of a delegation of the Federation of Municipalities in Kaytah Akkar  which asked that the Minister gives due consideration to this area given its agricultural realities. Within the same vein, he noted during his meeting with the holders of feedstock plants that farmers have a priority for support when resources are available.  He noted that all inputs needed by livestock breeders will be allowed for importation in order to combat monopoly.  The Minister also met with a delegation of potato farmers from Akkar and discussed with them the marketing of potato products in the regions as of next April.

Al Mustqbal and Al Diyar 11 March 2014

 

The Rene Moawwad Foundation organized last week in Halba a certificates distribution ceremony for 508 women from 17 neighboring villages in Akkar and Dennyeh who participated in the project to improve the living conditions of women in North Lebanon which is implemented by the RMF in coordination with MADA and the NGO Committee for the follow-up of women’s issues.  The project is funded by the European Union and seeks to promote women’s participation in economic development in North Lebanon with a view to improve their livelihoods.  The project includes a number of phases the first of which was implemented by 14 trainers who conducted training session on ICT and women’s economic rights.  The second stage will involve selecting and implementing 14 small projects amongst those proposed by the women beneficiaries of the project.
Source: Al-Nahar 10 March 2014

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Bassel Fleihan Institute organized last week a round table discussion entitled “in appreciation of the role of women in the public sphere”.  The event was attended by former Minister Wafa Dika Hamzeh, former Director General Niemat Kanaan and General Security Brigadier general Dalal Rahbani.  In her address, Wafa Dika noted that women’s participation in the public sector is mostly concentrated in category 4 posts.  According to her, women are stuck in this glass ceiling because of the lack of political commitment to women’s issue.  She also added that according to the statistics released by CAS, 31% of public sector employees are women whilst 69% are men.  Dika added that the administrative systems are outdated and do not provide opportunities for advancement of women staff thus many leave after getting married or pregnant especially given the absence of child care services which would help working mothers in the public sector.  Niemat Kanaan noted for her part that knowledge and empowerment are key so that women are aware of their rights and responsibilities hence the importance of training so that omen advance in their careers in the public sector.  She also added that the appointment of a handful of women in decision making positions was a mere tokenism as it was done via family connections.  Rahbani spoke of her own experience in General Security which included both administrative and political responsibilities.  She added that women are capable to take critical and difficult responsibilities whilst exercising professionalism and discretion.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 March 2014

The President of the Farmers’ Association, Antoine Hoayek, addressed the presidents of the Phalanges and PSP parties and demanded that they state their position regarding the commitments they have signed at the Lebanese Forum on Social and Economic Development and which organized in Beirut in 2008 and 2009.  He called on the two parties to convene a meeting with his association in order to identify the best ways implementing the recommendations that were endorsed politically.
Howayek noted that the Ministers of Health and Agriculture are members of the PSP party whilst the Ministers of Economy and Labor are members of the Phalanges Party. All these ministries have the remit to oversee the implementation of the Forum’s recommendations and which include the creation of a unified and comprehensive health coverage system for all the Lebanese and which is managed by the NSSF and for which financing is allocated in the national Budget.  Other recommendations include: the creation of a unified pension plan, the modernization and application of protection mechanisms for agricultural products, creating an insurance fund for natural disasters and climate change, reinstating the law to create a national bank to support agricultural development and separating the Chamber of Agriculture from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and setting up a mechanism for registering agricultural land parcels.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Safir 7 March 2014

For more information about the recommendations of the Lebanese Forum on Social and Economic Development, please review the following news:
The Association of Farmers: The problems of the agricultural sector persist and the Ministry of Agriculture has failed to play its role, on 3/1/2014
Big challenges to agricultural sector and food security in Lebanon because of government neglect, on 21/2/2014
A proposal to set up an autonomous Chamber for Agriculture frozen since 2003, on 5/3/2014