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Minister of Tourism: Festivals stimulate internal tourism only

22-7-2019

The minister of tourism Avedis Guidanian pointed out that the ministry’s budget has dropped by nearly LBP 10 billion, asking how a country can promote tourism with only USD 2 million. Guidanian was responding to Noura Jumblat who warned last week that Beitiddine Festivals were threatened with suspension anytime now. Guidanian explained that he was not against international festival planners or organizers, but that such events are not what is needed to boost tourism. They can boost internal tourism but cannot generate hard currency which is brought in by foreign visitors. He said festivals do not regulate the flow of incomers to the country. On the current tourism activity, Guidanian pointed to a growth rate in GCC and Arab visitors by 25%. The 4-star hotel occupancy rate of Arab tourists has exceeded 80% and posted between 70% and 75% in the 5-star hotels, the minister said, adding that the growth rate of European visitors reached 42%. On the other hand, the head of the Traders’ Association of Jounyeh and Kesrouan, Samy Irani, said Jounyeh International Festivals (https://bit.ly/2YqyemN) has revived commerce in the town, pointing to an extraordinary activity of Lebanese, Arab, GCC, expatriates and foreigners that reminds of the good old days. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, July 18, 22, 2019)

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Fighting foreign work force: bakeries raise price of bread

19-7-2019

Following protests by Palestinian refugees against ministry of labor’s plan to bring down what it calls “illegal workforce”, voices of dissent came this time from concerned industrialists and unions. To this end, a delegation of the Union of Owners of Bakeries in Lebanon, led by Kazem Ibrahim, discussed with minister Wael Abu Faour repercussions of the labor ministry’s request requiring employers of foreign laborers to cover them in social security and provide them with a work permit and health insurance. This, Ibrahim explained, is costly and detrimental to the sector, especially with the reluctance of Lebanese workers to work in bakeries. Raising the cost of production of a baguette of bread will increase the burden on consumers, not by a fragment of LBP 150 or 100 but significantly more. On the other hand, the Gathering of Shweifat and Environs Industrialists, which covers around 100 plants and factories, held a press conference yesterday to evaluate effects of the new labor ministry directive. Participants voiced fears on how the situation is developing. They called on the labor minister and the General Security department to give a 6-month grace period in order to settle the status of foreign workers, demanding a reduction of fees and an annulment of charges amassed during said period. Stressing that industrialists are law people, the gathering maintained that the above measure remains incomplete if not propped by reforms to support and protect national industry against smuggling and dumping. On the subject, Al Akhbar reported that opposition was expected from stakeholders who accrued profits over the years at the expense of foreign labor by sidestepping the law and denying their workers social security or legal work permits. (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, July 19, 2019)
 

Previous related news:
Combatting illegal foreign workforce in Lebanon
 

 

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Discriminatory, racist treatment at Lebanon beaches

19-7-2019

In its issue of today, Al Akhbar newspaper shed light on the racism and discriminatory treatment rampant at beach resorts across Lebanon. Recalling, that a circular issued a month ago by tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian, advising ‘equal treatment’ in the reception of customers irrespective of race, nationality which applies as well to competent persons with special needs, has not been observed by above institutions, apparently, Al Akhbar wrote. The newspaper revealed two instances live from the Sporting Club, Manara, Beirut. The first incident was reported by journalist Sahar Mandour involving an Indian woman and her child who has been barred from entering the beach because of her race and color. Noting that the Indian beach goer was in Lebanon as part of an academic team to attend an international conference, a fact the receptionist did not scrutinize. The second instance relates to a flyer issued by the same beach resort on the dress code of helpers, or migrant domestic workers, requiring the family to pledge in signing that the worker wears a special uniform, shorts and a t-shirt. And in the event of violation, the family will be expelled without compensation. The flyer, Al Akhbar said, has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, calling for boycotting the Sporting Club for its racist attitude and its infringement on the rights of workers. Marwan Abu Nassar, co-owner of the club, clarified to Al Akhbar that the circular was meant to enforce a dress code without discrimination and that everyone should strictly comply to wearing a swim suit inside the pool. He denied banning the Indian lady from entering the beach. (Al Akhbar, July 19, 2019)

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Beirut ranks 53rd globally, 4th regionally in cost of living index

18-7-2019

The Mercer Institute published its ‘2019 Cost of Living’ survey which compares the cost of living indices for expatriates in 209 countries around the world. The Mercer report is designed to help multinational companies determine compensation allowances and social benefits for their expatriate staff. It also helps them determine the feasibility of opening branches in different countries, especially if the cost of living is high and not commensurate with anticipated profits. According to the report, Beirut ranked 4th in the Middle East and North Africa and 53rd globally in terms of high cost of living, after Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, and ahead of Doha and Kuwait City. The Lebanese capital also beat world cities like Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Istanbul and Montreal. In terms of the quality of living, Beirut ranked 184th globally out of 231 cities. Noting, that in order to determine the cost of living, the Mercer survey measures the cost of food, alcohol, tobacco, housing, clothing, footwear, domestic services, special care, transport, local supplies and entertainment. To determine the quality of life, Mercer weighs various factors, including political (political and security stability, observation of laws), economic (banking services…), educational (quality of education), public services (electricity, water, public transportation and traffic), entertainment (theatres, restaurants, cinemas…), housing, consumer goods (cars …), medical services, epidemics, diseases, climate, pollution, etc. (Al Akhbar, July 16, 2019)

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Thirty-three licenses for food industries over six months

18-7-2019

The ministry of industry released yesterday a report on the circulars related to the issuance during the period from January 2019 to mid-July 2019, of 286 circulars covering 33 food manufacturing plants. The ministry clarified in a statement, that above figures indicate a high demand from investors on the food industries, which the ministry gives special consideration to due to the complementary role of the sector, along with other productive sectors, notably agriculture. The food sector, according to the ministry’s statement, also boasts an advanced position in export and in accessible prospects to expand investments and increase its competitiveness and export capacities. The ministry stressed that, the series of protectionist, and other, measures it has worked on over the past six months, have created incentives for industrialists and businessmen to expand their businesses and establish new productive institutions in all regions, which generated new jobs and encouraged young people to stay steadfast in rural areas. Recalling, that the industry ministry has coordinated to this effect with the ministries of finance, economy and trade, public works and education, as well as with the Customs and Port departments, the LIA and Industrial Research Institute. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, July 18, 20, 2019)

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Food factories Inspection project launched

16-7-2019

As part of the food quality and safety program implemented by the industry ministry, and in collaboration with 9 Lebanese universities, minister Wael Abu Faour, kicked off yesterday the food factories inspection project. Noting, that agriculture engineering students from said universities have volunteered in the inspection process following a special training session to this effect. Abu Faour stressed that the campaign shall help industrialists in exporting their products, which represent nearly 30% of the overall local exports. He underlined the importance of propping domestic industry as it provides jobs and contributes to the development of agriculture, hoping the campaign will meet its end in ensuring the safety of both the product and the consumer. Abu Faour clarified that the project will be certified with a quality stamp which will facilitate competition and export, stating that the quality granted by the ministry is a privilege to its owner. (An Nahar, July 16, 2019)

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Ban on sale of tobacco to underage children

12-7-2019

The minister of economy, Mansour Bteish, issued yesterday a circular No. 5/1 banning tobacco product sales to underage children. The text of the ordinance said, that after receiving complaints about some companies selling tobacco products (cigarettes and hookahs) to kids under 18, in clear violation of the Smoking Law 174 for endangering their health and safety, and in observance of Article 8 of said law banning the provision of any tobacco product to minors, through sales or free delivery, the ministry reminds all involved companies and firms of the necessity of strictly complying with the provisions of the Directorate of Consumer Protection. Accordingly, the ministry shall issue tickets against lawbreakers who will be referred to competent judiciary. Recalling, that Article 15 of the Smoking Law states that any violator of Article 4 of said law be fined with what is equal to two to six times the minimum wage. And in case of repeated violation, the perpetrator will be punished with one to six-month imprisonment and a fine of ten to twenty the minimum wage. (An Nahar, July 12, 2019) 

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Youth employment initiative in Tripoli

12-7-2019

With the support of the British Embassy in Lebanon, the March Association headed by Lea Baroudi, kicked off on July 10 from the Grand Serail the Beb el Dahab Construction (BEDCO). The project is a social initiative for contracting and construction aimed to create employment opportunities for marginalized youth in Jabal Mohsen and Bab el Tabaneh in Tripoli. On the occasion, Baroudi spoke about her career in the Northern capital which started with a successful play and was followed by the launch of a cultural café that brought together the young people of Tabaneh-Jabal Mohsen. And now, the BEDCO project which revived some 300 shops, streets and public spaces after years of conflict and destruction. BEDCO director, Musaab Saeed, outlined the details of the project which provides contracting services at affordable prices and high-end technology, sustaining that the proceeds will go to other development initiatives in the city, particularly in Tabaheh-Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods. For his part, prime minister Saad Hariri, said the initiative was implemented by a woman. “The conflicts might have abated, but we must make young men and women communicate and get to know each other,” Hariri said, stressing that BEDCO should be classified as part of the CEDRE projects. Similarly, British Ambassador, Chris Rampling, stated that BEDCO was an idea before it materialized into a project, noting that Tripoli is in dire need of jobs. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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‘Favorite village’ in its fourth edition

11-7-2019

During a ceremony held at AUB yesterday, the 4th edition of the ‘Favorite Village’ competition, sponsored by L’Orient Le Jour daily in cooperation with Fransabank, was launched. The participating villages are: Amshit, Baruk, Bsherri, Qana, Habariyeh, Ghazir, Baskinta, Hermel, Mashghara and Qobayat. An outline was presented about the features of each competing village, including traditional dishes, crafts, religious sites, nature, heritage and agriculture. Former tourism minister, Michel Pharaon, who was present at the launch, stressed that rural tourism bolsters and props up internal tourism. For his part, AUB President, Fadlo Khury, addressed the issue of migration, criticizing the slackness of the government towards rural and agricultural areas and reminded it of its responsibility towards the youth in order to stay steadfast in their villages. Voting online for only one of the ten participating villages will start on July 10 and will close on July 28 ( lorientlejour.com/village). (L’Orient Le Jour, July 11, 2019)

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Lebanese Food Bank partners with Le Bristol

11-7-2019

The Lebanese Food Bank signed yesterday a partnership agreement with Le Bristol Hotel by virtue of which the hotel donates leftover food to needy beneficiaries. This comes as part of the non-profit charity organization’s efforts to provide families in need with food rations and to reduce hunger. The Food Bank clarified in a statement that, the agreement was conducted in the framework of its objectives to manage wasted food, and as part of Le Bristol’s many social responsibility programs. The statement pointed out that the Lebanese Food Bank currently cooperates with the major food catering companies in the country, including restaurants, hotels and event planners. The aim is collect food discarded from buffets, weddings and receptions, but is still in good condition, package it in parcels and distribute it on 70 concerned NGOs and associations who deliver it to the most underprivileged households, the statement said. Le Bristol, as per the above agreement, also offers generous donations of clothes, linen or towels to be distributed to needy families under the Bank’s patronage, the statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, July 11, 2019)

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