Other news

The minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon launched yesterday so-called ‘Favorite Village’ competition during a press conference held at the ministry, in the presence of Ziad Makhul, the editor of the event’s sponsor, L’Orient Le Jour daily. Makhul pointed out that the newspaper adopted the idea of the project which was first brought up by a colleague and was presented to and approved immediately by the tourism ministry for implementation. Makhul clarified that villages have been nominated for three consecutive years, 10 names for each year and the Lebanese are invited to vote for their favorite one accordingly. The contestant villages for this year’s title are: Old Akkar, Dhoor Chweir, Duma, Ehden, Hammana, Rashayya, Kfrazebian, Sarafand and Yammooneh. Voting will start on July 23 and will close on August 6 and the winner village will be announced on August 8. On the subject, Pharaon underlined the vitality of the undertaking which is associated with the larger ‘rural tourism’ initiative launched recently by his ministry. Pharaon stressed that the beauty criterion is highlighted for a bigger aim which is the creation of jobs for inhabitants and boosting their steadfastness to their land. It also aims to preserve the heritage and sites that are sometimes violated in terms of disrespect to the environment and relevant laws. Such projects that map the country’s different regions, the minister maintained, can draw attention to traditional villages and the guesthouses they embrace.” Around 100 guesthouses in Lebanon are now recorded, with nearly 100% rate of occupancy during the period from May to October. Pharaon finally mentioned that the rural tourism sector, which in the past represented 5% to 6% of the overall tourism industry, now occupies about 8.5% expected to reach 20% in five years. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 12, 2016)

 

Prickly pear growers in the southern border area are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the campaign launched recently by the agriculture ministry to control the widespread cochineal insect (Dactylopius Opuntiae) harming their orchards. During the past five years, to note, nearly 90% of prickly pear cultivations in the different regions, particularly the border zone, were damaged. The Agricultural Scientific Research Department at the ministry of agriculture, Hasbayya Office, has been working for months to produce the natural insect known as Cryptolaemus beetles and scatter them over the infected prickly pears. The campaign is carried out under the supervision of the head of the laboratory for Biological Control, Elie Rmeili, with the help of relevant foreign research labs and experts. Prickly pear farmers in the towns of Kfarshouba, Kfarhamam, Maree, Majidiyeh, Halta and Wazzani have received nearly 100 thousand Cryptolaemus beetles and disseminated them over their plantations with the help of professionals. Another quantity of these insects is expected to be distributed to the remaining villages in Arqoob and Hasbayya districts. In expounding on the situation, one farmer, Samir Youssef described it as catastrophic, particularly that it deprived plant growers of a substantial production in the past five years, with annual losses reaching LBP one to five million. He grieved that some 2800 families who depend on these crops for their livelihood were largely affected. Another farmer, Abu Hassan Hmeid expressed doubt over the success of the above campaign, saying he has to wait for what the coming weeks will deliver. (As Safir, July 11, 2016)

 

The President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees in Lebanon, Saad el Din Hamidi Saqr revealed a rise in unemployment rate to 37% contrary to what is widely believed (22 to 25%) percentage. Hamidi Saqr who was speaking to Al Markaziya electronic portal on Friday, pointed out that all the presented solutions do not match the size of the disaster, but commended efforts made by labor minister, Sajaan Azzi, in this direction. Hamidi Saqr indicated that “the response to the crisis cannot be divided but rather should be all-inclusive and collaborative between all the involved ministries, committees and unions, particularly that a part of the problem is the product of the increasing number of Syrian refugees,” as he claimed. In this context, Hamidi Saqr mentioned the frequent appeals made by the general trade union to this effect and called on the concerned economic bodies and business owners to show more support to Lebanese workers instead of recruiting what he termed  “relatively cheap foreign labor, notably from Asia, or displaced Syrian nationals.” He stressed the need to combine efforts to address the situation, warning that the upsurge in the number of unemployed persons in the country is an indicator of a serious social crisis that should be placed as a priority on the table of discussion of the Cabinet. (Al Diyar, July 9, 2016)

 

 

On the occasion of Ramadan and Al Fitr Holidays, the marketplace of Ain El Helweh Palestinian Camp in Saida reopened on June 30th as part of a renewed effort by the local community and popular committees, the committee of market traders and the farmer’s market, and aiming at creating a safe market for the Camp inhabitants away from the recent security tensions resulting from the recent skirmishes and which largely impacted the trade activity. Likewise, Camp traders confirmed that the current relatively stable conditions within Ain El Hilweh have contributed to the revival of the popular marketplace, while noting that the market bustle is facilitated by Camp residents only, including more than 100 thousand refugees who fled from neighboring Syria. The commercial market committees also announced in a statement their intention to give a new lease of life to shopping within the Palestinian Camp during the Eid days. To note, that the Ain El Helweh commercial market which hosts tens of shops and clothing stores, boasting cheap prices for their merchandise, was also a popular destination for customers flocking from Saida and suburbia before the latest armed clashes. (As Safir, July 1, 2016)

 

A study released by the Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology scientific journal on May 31, has recorded the prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders amongst adolescents  in Lebanon at a  level higher than that registered in other Arab countries. The study which targeted some 510 teenagers aged between 11 to 17 years indicated that nearly 26.1% of youngsters in the greater Beirut district suffer from one type of disorder or the other, while noting that the required medical services are inaccessible, and with only 6% of patients receiving specialized care. In the findings, 14% of the respondents suffer one type of mental or behavioral illness, 8% are diagnosed with two disorders, 3% with three and 0.8% have experienced four or more disorders. The types and prevalence of these disorder are as follows: mood swings (at a rate of 6.7%); anxiety (13.1%); attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD (10.2%) and behavioral disorders (4.7%). The survey recommended in conclusion the following: understand the absence of coverage of the necessary medical treatment for similar patients; identify the financial and moral obstacles impeding proper access to psychotherapy; observe and control school bullying and its detrimental effects, as well as, promote awareness regarding the diagnosis of mental and psychological disorders in teens who suffer health problems. (As Safir, July 5, 2016)

 

In its edition of July 3, Al Mustaqbal newspaper shed light on the challenges facing pine growers in the regions of Hasbayya and Arqoob, the land of some 100 thousands pine trees. Pine woods stretching across the towns of Rashayya al Fukhar, Kfar Hamam, Habariyeh, Fardiss, Ain Qania, Mimes, Kefir and al Khalwat are mostly state-owned, owned by municipalities or are private property. In this respect, Amin Ibrahim, a pine guarantor for the government, municipalities and small landowners told Al Mustaqbal that pine growing generates remarkable proceeds to tens of households that benefit from pruning and gathering the kernels. He pointed out that one kilogramme of peeled white pine is being sold at more than LBP 60 thousand after reaching nearly LBP 85 thousand last year, attributing the price fall to the invasion of domestic markets by relatively cheap imported Chinese and Turkish pines. Moreover, Ibrahim added, pine growing requires great care, a skill most landowners lack and the authorities disregard, especially fighting sandalwood worm, which began to hit the pine this year, and constitute a factor of fear to farmers in the region. Besides, the daily wage of the pine laborer could reach around LBP 100 thousand due to the risky and physically demanding job involved, Ibrahim said, while noting that the majority of those workers are Syrians. For his part, Ghattas Ghareeb, the mayor of Rashayya Al Fukhar which embraces some ten thousand pine trees, appealed to the agriculture and environment ministries to support this cultivation and assist the municipalities in the pruning and cleaning up of conifers and protecting them against forest fires, which should be mandatory. Ghareeb highlighted the significance of this agriculture in the creation of jobs for rural inhabitants and in raising funds for the municipalities. (Al Mustaqbal, July 3, 2016)

 

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Tripoli and the North, organized yesterday a workshop in the framework of joint efforts between the Chamber and the International Labor Organization ILO aimed at development of value chains in the potato and leafy vegetables sectors. The event was held at the Conferences Hall under the patronage of the Chamber’s president, Tufic Dabbussi, and in collaboration with ILO and the Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT). On the occasion, Dabbussi underlined the importance of the integrated role of all involved parties in the success of development programs in the various economic industries, primarily in agriculture, like the production of potato. He also noted the critical significance of coordination between the private and public sectors as well as international partners. “The recovery of the agricultural sector is a vital issue which centers on the principle of partnership as well as on the strict observation of international specifications and food safety standards,” Dabbussi said. For her part, the project’s senior technical advisor at the ILO Arab Regional Office, Anabela Scoff, pointed out that the agricultural development initiative has achieved substantial successes to this effect. Likewise, BIAT general director, Fawaz Hamdi, outlined the role of the incubator in launching a wide range of undertakings in the different productive sectors, in addition to small and medium enterprises. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 4, 2016)

 

In a special feature published today, Al Akhbar newspaper portrayed the struggle of the Beqaa ‎cannabis growers to protect their summer harvest, noting that after four seasons, crops remained ‎intact. Nowadays, these farmers are resuming the cultivation of thousands of acres with this ‎banned crop, hopeful to receive attention from their government. To expound on the subject, the ‎newspaper spoke to one cannabis grower who confirmed that such precious plantations are a ‎support and assurance for hundreds of Beqaa farmers and their families. “The Lebanese ‎government does not get it, that we are growers and not dealers. He who grows the crop is ‎originally destitute and no one cares about him. The grower wants to provide for his household ‎and see his children educated and married,” he said. Another cannabis farmer, Hassan, in his ‎fifties, praised the flowering crop that “never loses” as he described it, contrary to other ‎conventional plants which face many challenges, in the forefront, water scarcity. This, Hassan ‎explained, has caused a high demand and an increase in the rent cost of water-rich lands, coupled ‎with a rise in labor cost and a monopoly by traders, in the absence of marketing outlets and ‎government backing. Likewise, a fellow marijuana grower, lamented through Al Akhbar the lies ‎and false promises of the government about an alternative agriculture project. “They lied to us ‎even after the formal visit by former interior minister, Marwan Sharbel, to Yamooneh town back ‎in 2012 after the promises he made to this effect”. In conclusion, the newspaper called attention ‎to the fact that cannabis farmers are hopeful of legalizing the crop, similar to the tobacco crop, ‎which once was illegal. “Why does the government authorize the cultivation of tobacco which is ‎very detrimental to the health of citizens, while it continues to ban cannabis which essentially ‎contains medicinal and industrial benefits” they wondered. (Al Akhbar, July 4, 2016)‎

 

Notwithstanding the security perils following Al Qa3 blasts early this week and the  BLOM bank bomb and the surfacing of information about planned terrorist attacks against specific recreational and commercial neighborhoods, yet, touristic circles seemed buoyant and optimistic in their attempts to play down above threats. To this effect, the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon, issued yesterday a statement urging customers of such venues not to panic but “restrictively follow the directives released by competent security departments.” The statement confirmed that all touristic establishments are on guard and have taken maximum precautionary measures in this direction. Likewise, the minister of tourism, Michel Pharaon, while pointing out that it is difficult to predict the security situation in the days of Eid, reiterated the placating announcement by Pierre Ashkar, President of the Lebanese Federation of Tourism Industries, that hotel and flight bookings for the summer have not been affected to date. Pharaon also denied reports of possible attacks targeting summer festivals. For its part, An Nahar newspaper noted that that professionals are working through promotional campaigns and activities to attract tourists from abroad, and indicated that the rate of occupancy during the Fitr Eid season is still expected to reach a high of 70% to 80% in the regions and 90% in the capital, Beirut, and that is according to industry sources. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, July 1, 2016)

 

In a special feature on the recent decision of the Ministry of Agriculture to halt the entry of Syrian fruits and vegetables into Lebanon, As Safir daily reported that the prices and marketing of such products have remained unchanged. This development largely dissipates earlier fears of consumers and merchants in this regard, according to the owner one vegetable shop on the Hasbani main road. Likewise, Rabi’ Harfush from Marjeyoon, expressed his satisfaction with the minister’s “right” decision to protect domestic production, as he described it, and its positive implication on the agricultural sector. The newspaper carried similar reactions from heads of agricultural cooperatives, notably the olive and olive oil producers, who considered that theses measure by putting an end to unlawful foreign competition will surely offer protection to the sector, and urged the ministry not to back down under any pressure. For his part, the head of the Syndicate of Apple and Fruit Tree Growers in Lebanon, Fuad Nasr, criticized what he termed “the media campaign launched against Shehayeb by some political circles under the so-called National Gathering of Agricultural Committees.” This campaign, Nasr alleged, serves the interests of a few Lebanese and Syrian traders who seek to drown the local market with Syrian made goods. He appealed to agricultural unions to be more supportive of the interests of farmers and candidly offer proposals and practical solutions to the crisis of agriculture. “Our only criticism of Shehayeb’s move is not its boldness, rather it is his holding back from asking agricultural bodies to adjust the decision in order to gain the trust of citizens,” Nasr explained. He called for further measures namely: modify the present Lebanese-Syrian trade agreement; develop an exceptional agricultural calendar that will regulate trade exchange between the two neighboring countries; take all necessary steps to control the open borders, put an end to smuggling activities and close illegal crossings; and finally activate the role of quarantine health centers on the border to ensure the safety of agricultural goods entering Lebanon. (As Safir, Al Mustaqbal, June 22 and 23, 2016)