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Workshop in Sohmor to support SMEs

27-8-2019

In coordination with the Economic and Social Development Fund (ESDF), the Municipality of Sohmor, West Bekaa organized a workshop on Saturday entitled ‘We fund your project’. Many locals and concerned people participated in the workshop which aimed to promote and support owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). On the occasion, Sohmor mayor, Haidar Shahla, pointed out that such seminars and similar activities seek to help our people, especially in these dire economic circumstances to aquire real-world opportunities and contribute to the development of the town’s economy. (Al Diyar, August 26, 2019)

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Wines of Lebanon in South Korea international & Bologna local shows

26-8-2019

Lebanon participated for the first time in the International Wine Show organized by Daejeon International Marketing Enterprise in Daejeon, South Korea from August 23 to 25. Under the patronage of foreign minister, Jibran Bassil, Lebanon’s presence is a culmination of a unique partnership between the Lebanese embassy in Seoul and Clos St Thomas. It introduces Lebanese wine to the Korean markets as part of a campaign launched by Bassil to market the domestic wine industry globally. On the local scene, the Association Des Caves Du Mont Liban kicked off on August 24 the third wine festival at Notre Dame Church- Bologna, under the sponsorship of defense minister Elias Bou Saab and the presence of the Papal Ambassador Joseph Spiteri. Bou Saab underlined the importance of the event, and conveyed a message to the supreme pontiff asking him to expend the Lebanese wine in a Sunday mass as recommended by his holiness. The minister said the wine sector has developed considerably, noting that in the Metn area alone hosts some 12 wineries. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, August 24, 25, 2019)

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Green for Growth Fund supports Energy Efficiency in Lebanon

23-8-2019

Green for Growth Fund (GGF) said in a statement yesterday that it has invested USD 15 million in Bank Audi, the biggest green lender in Lebanon. The aim, the statement explained, is to support Audi’s lending portfolio in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The investment will reportedly be used for financing industrial equipment and energy efficient buildings, as well as commercial vehicles and energy service and supply companies, the statement said. The impact is expected to be amplified through the Fund’s Technical Assistance Facility. The measures funded through above investment, will lead to primary energy saving and a reduction in CO2 emissions, it said. The investment is anticipated to contribute to saving energy in a market that only covers 60% of the peak power demand which results in regular power outages that impede overall economic productivity, according to the statement. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Akhbar, August 23, 2019)

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Promoting rural tourism, sustainable forest management in Batloun

21-8-2019

The Rene Mouawad Foundation (RMF) CEO, MP Michel Maouwad, sponsored yesterday the completion of ‘Promoting rural tourism and sustainable management of forests in Batloun-Shouf’ initiative. The latter, to note, is funded by USAID and implemented by RMF in partnership with the Municipality of Batloun as well as Al Shouf Cedar Society. Mouawad on the occasion underlined the importance of the USD 175,000 project in transforming one of Lebanon's main forests from a source of firewood to a source of sustainable income through ecotourism, pointing to the rehabilitation of the 20 km walking trail to this effect. The project has once again, reaffirmed the competence of the local authorities as a core for transparent and effective development, Mouawad said. With modest potentials, we have managed to secure a local economic cycle and create jobs for the town’s youth, he concluded. (Al Diyar, August 21, 2019)

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BTA Retail Index: more institutions close, consumption decline

20-8-2019

The Beirut Traders Association (BTA) Fransabank Retail Index for the second quarter of 2019, has shown a steady decline in consumption in the absence of positive developments in the economic arena that will stimulate markets. The Index pointed out that the continuous deliberation for raising taxes on imported goods to protect national industry without providing credible studies on the impact of such measures on the trade activity, and the resulting flight of large deposits from banks due to the increasing taxes on the interest rates of deposits and a waning demand on new deposits, an additional rise in interest rates and the shrinking of banking facilities which in large part contribute to invigorating the economic cycle. According to Fransabank Retail Index, only growth can restore Lebanon’s economic stability and vigor. The state of anticipation among ‘a large number of traders’ has forced them to close their shops and institutions or rent them to non-Lebanese brokers, the Index noted, pointing to the shutdowns in Beirut alone which reached between 4% to 13%, with a higher rate in the regions. The Index also pointed out that the country has not seen a satisfactory number of incomers or a normal comeback of Lebanese expats recorded during the Ramadan, Al Fitr or Easter Holidays. Retail business figures during the second quarter of 2019 reported a continued decline in most sectors, and a more pronounced austerity in consumption and spending among households and individuals. The major sectors that witnessed continued decline during the second quarter compared to the same period in 2018, posted the following rates: Shoes and leather goods (- 54.78% against - 25.59%), smartphones (- 51.25% / - 35.03%), household electrical appliances (- 22.15% / - 15.62%), furniture (- 14.41% / - 6.42%) and hypermarkets and foodstuff (- 5.69% / - 8.41%). (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, August 20, 2019)

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A market for local products in El Qaa’, Beqaa

19-8-2019

MP Tony Habshi inaugurated on August 17th the market for social products and that is to support local production and their marketing. The event took place at the public park in El Qaa’ and was organized by the local municipality in collaboration with the federation of municipalities of Rashaya and Suk el Jana. The event took place over a three day period and included handicrafts, agricultural products, Mouneh and other food products. During his tour of the market, Habshi noted that work is essential to development. He emphasized the role of local authorities in bringing about development and in strengthening the local economy. The president of the El Qaa’ municipality noted for his part that this activity seeks to support local farmers as well as strengthen the local economy and benefit from local production. The president of the council of women in Jabal Sheikh, Rana Najd Abou Mansur, noted that the market seeks to encourage rural women to produce and market their goods without going through middlemen. (Al Dyar, 18 August 2019)

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Training in water resources management for farmers

5-8-2019

The Economic and Social Development Fund (ESDF) distributed on August 2 certificates to 74 farmers from Dinniyeh, Beit Yunis and Hrar in Akkar, who completed agricultural training and extension courses in integrated water resources management. The training comes as part of the ‘Agricultural extension on integrated water resources management and the enhancement of cherry and apple orchard production’ program, implemented by ESDF, in cooperation with Maurice Hbeika for Trade and Agriculture Est and Dabbaneh Agriculture Holding. The said program, which is supported by the EU, targets about 520 farmers from the villages of the Federation of Municipalities of Diniyeh and Jabal Amel, in addition to the town of Arkoob (Hasbayya), Upper Shuf, Al Qaa and Deir Ahmar (Baalbaq-Hermel), Beit Yunis (Akkar) and Ain Ebl (Bint Jbeil). On the other hand, SEED Bound for research organized yesterday, in the Beqaa town of Sar3in, the 7th annual ‘Farm Day’ under the patronage of agriculture minister Hassan Lakkis. The latter underlined the importance of the fair in informing farmers and researchers in the area and across the country, on relevant findings in the production of seeds suitable for Lebanon’s nature and climate. What is more important, Lakkis maintained, is the application of those outcomes in the field. The Minister unveiled a draft bill underway aimed to regulate the import, export and registration of seeds to the end of protecting local farmers. The proposal is currently deliberated with the participation of specialists and researchers, and the private sector, Lakkis noted, advising cooperation between the private and public sectors for the benefit of national agriculture and the Lebanese farmers, and the domestic economy at large. (Al Diyar, August 3, 5, 2019)

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Qartaba tourism carnival, government to settle 2018 entitlements of festivals

5-8-2019

In a ceremony held at the ministry on July 31, the minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, launched the Qartaba Carnival for Tourism and Heritage. Guidanian revealed that the State Shura Council said it has sent to cabinet the decree related to 2018 financial contributions to local festivals. The Minister hoped it will be endorsed in the first cabinet session, expected to be held in the next few days, to kick off the compensation for the year 2018. Guidanian stressed that organizing festivals today requires determination and courage especially with the shrinking contributions to this end, combined with the gloomy atmosphere in the country. The minister boasted that he may be the only optimistic official to stimulate positivity through declaring the constant improvement in the number of incomers to Lebanon, despite the never-ending crises. For his part, the head of the Federation of Jbeil Municipalities, mayor of Qartaba, Fadi Martinos, stressed the persistence of the successes of the festival year after year, notwithstanding the financial and economic drawbacks. Similarly, the president of the Qartaba Festivals Committee, Michel Darazi, announced the dates of the musical evenings and names of performing singers. (An Nahar, August 5, 2019)

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Traditional incrust craft survives despite blend of modernity

2-8-2019

In its issue of July 29, An Nahar daily brought to light the old craft of wood incrusting, which it said was influenced by functional modernity for a faster, easier and inexpensive production. Despite this, the traditional craft making has lingered and survived, still boasting a satisfactory demand from stubborn customers, albeit at a slower pace than before. The old method uses wood husks generated from wood panels. The latter are passed on specialized thin saws to produce sheets of fine wood layers that are more like cardboard or paper. The source of this traditional technique is Arabic, which explains the application of the geometric patterns known as the Arabesque, An Nahar said. While pointing to a decline in the number of artisans in Tripoli, the newspaper showcased the Ahmad brothers as well as Adel Qodsi who keep the craft alive and have opened a niche store to this end in Al Mina. The craft, they maintained, is alive and well and not at risk. Manual incrusting is still in demand by many aficionados who admire the old woodcraft, notwithstanding the competition of modern industry. (An Nahar, July 29, 2019)

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A national campaign to promote the Lebanese industry

1-8-2019

The prime minister Saad Hariri launched yesterday the ‘nationwide campaign to support the Lebanese industry’ organized by the industry ministry in cooperation with the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA). The campaign embraced a 50-second promotional film highlighting the importance of the Lebanese industry and the interaction of the Lebanese youth with it. The campaign also includes, organizing educational dialogues and media campaign promoting national production and industry, specialized exhibitions that will visit a number of regions in the country, and endorsing Lebanese industrial producers participating in international shows. During the event, Hariri said the next stage in the campaign will focus on stimulating productive sectors. “We have more than 5 thousand factories in Lebanon, and we could increase the number, produce, manufacture and secure our domestic needs as well as export the surplus,” Hairiri stated. We can also create over 50,000 new jobs in the industry in the next five years. For his part, industry minister, Wael Abu Faour, said that according to McKinsey report, some 195,000 Lebanese are employed in the sector, meaning that 195,000 households depend in their living on industry. He pointed out that 1% growth in industry generates around 1500 jobs, according to UNIDO. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, August 1, 2019)

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