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Boosting the procurement of Lebanese products by international organizations

14-5-2019

The ministers of social affairs and industry, Richard Kuyumdjian, and Wael Abu Faour, discussed yesterday with the UN Resident Coordinator, Philip Lazarinni, ways to encourage international organizations operating in Lebanon to utilize made-in-Lebanon products. Following the meeting, Abu Faour revealed that a joint committee was formed, comprising the industry and social affairs ministries, the Lebanese Industrialists Association and international organizations to set up a mechanism for the procurement of Lebanese goods by said organizations. Kuyumdjian, for his part, said the meeting with Larizanni came to reassure UN agencies in the country to buy and use Lebanese products. (An Nahar, May 14, 2019)

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Government to regulate illegal foreign workforce

9-5-2019

The minister of labor, Kamil Abu Sleiman, yesterday presented to President Michel Aoun a plan set by his ministry to regulate and control illegal foreign workforce in the country. Abu Sleiman said Aoun encouraged him to continue with his efforts in this direction, adding that it will soon be submitted to the council of ministers. In a related vein, Abu Sleiman headed on May 3 a meeting for inspectors and heads of departments in the ministry giving instructions on how to carry out and activate the above plan aimed to combat illegal labor. The minister listened to the participants’ complaints and what they face during their field inspections, saying he understands the shortage in the number of inspectors (do not exceed 30), praising the talents among them which can be used to strictly enforce the law. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, May 9, 2019)

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Two pastries, bakeries closed in Saida, three others warned

2-5-2019

The ministry of industry issued two decisions on April 30 requiring the closure of a pastry in Bawabit Fawqa-Saida owned by Aida Ibrahim Abu Zeid, and the temporary shutdown of a bakery, Radar, in Mseilih-Saida for violating food safety and licensing standards. A field inspection by a ministry team has revealed that the above establishments failed to comply with the rules and regulations of licensing of industrial institutions, and have violated control procedures. The ministry also released three directives warning the following establishments: Ibrahim Bakery and Patisserie in Shiyah-Baabda district, Jamul Bakery in Jiyeh-Shuf and Antoine Yussef Akiki bakery and pastry in Safra-Keserwan area for non-compliance with relevant provisions. Akiki and Ibrahim bakeries were given a two-month ultimatum to settle their status, while Jamul was given one month to the same end. (Al Diyar, May 1, 2019)

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Guidanian promises a blooming touristic season

2-5-2019

The tourism minister Avedis Guidanian was present at the 26th edition of the Arabian Travel Market organized in Dubai between April 28 and May 1, 2019, with the participation of some 2500 establishments from 100 countries. The minister opened the Lebanese pavilion, which hosted around 40 companies including hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. On the sidelines of the expo, Guidanian held a series of meetings with several tourism representatives, and met with the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Ahmad Bin Aqil Khatib. The latter assured the Lebanese minister there will be a promising Lebanon-bound tourism activity from the Kingdom after lifting the travel ban of Saudi citizens to the country. According to Al Diyar newspaper, the Lebanese pavilion has attracted a large number of international and Arab travel companies. Many agreements have been concluded with Lebanese establishments aimed to draw European and GCC tourists, designating an optimistic tourism season this summer, Al Diyar said. (Al Diyar, May 1, 2019)
 

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More business and trade shops close in Beirut

30-4-2019

The head of Beirut’s Traders’ Association, Nicola Shamas, warned on April 25 of the grave situation in all sectors, which is now threatening national industry and trade in the whole country, pointing to the alarming number of closed establishments and shops since more than a year. Based on available data from concerned market committees, Shamas said, the closed shops recorded so far are: 40 shops in Ashrafieh (representing nearly 10% of the total), 50 shops in Rmeil, Jeitawi, Mar Mkhail and Jemayze (13%), 30 shops in Hamra (5%), 25 shops in Barbour (5%), in addition to 12 shops in Mar Elias (4%), 18 shops in Corniche Mazraa/Nweiri locality and 12 in Mseitbeh area. Shamas stressed that the harsh reality is jeopardizing the remaining surviving establishments if not dealt with rigorously. One of the urgent measures that need to be taken is shutting down illegal shops, curbing the phenomenon of smuggling and suspending all court procedures by banks against commercial institutions. In a related development, Al Akhbar newspaper cited owners of shops in Mar Elias Souk who complained that all their marketing promotions to attract customers have failed, including large discounts and special offers on their items. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, April 26, 30, 2019)

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Regie-BAT partnership to manufacture Kent & Viceroy

25-4-2019

The Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs signed yesterday a partnership agreement with the British American Tobacco (BAT) under which the company will manufacture its global brands, Kent and Viceroy at the Regie facilities supervised by international experts. During the signing event, the Regie general director, Nassif Siqlawi, noted that the state-run firm has achieved unprecedented progress in the manufacture industry, boasting to date around 12 production lines, 19 foreign brands and 9 local brands, with a productive capacity of 80,000 packets every month. Siqlawi said the significance of the above agreement lies in: Reducing the deficit of the external balance of payments, boosting the economic cycle at the level of operation of complementary industries, including factories for cardboard, aluminum, raw materials and others, securing substantial extra proceeds for the State Treasury, creating jobs for the Lebanese, exchange of expertise and integration of foreign and national capacities. But most importantly, is tightening the grip over smuggling activities and recompensing profits on the treasury as a result of illicit trade. (Al Diyar, April 25, 2019)

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2019 best year for tourism in Lebanon

25-4-2019

The tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian, said yesterday he expected the upcoming tourist season to surpass yet the best recorded season of 2010, pointing to a nearly 80% occupancy rate to date. Guidanian was speaking during an open dialogue with AUST students under the motto, ‘The media and its role in serving tourism in Lebanon’. The minister confirmed the arrival of large number of Arab and GCC visitors after the month of Ramadan, revealing an integrated plan by his ministry that involves a diversity of markets, including Europe, China and India. For his part, the director of the Media Department at AUST, George Farha, suggested setting up a national strategy for tourism media, as well as cooperation between the ministries of tourism and information and between the private media sectors and universities. The purpose is to draw a joint media-tourism vision within the framework of a comprehensive plan that can be feasibly applied online, in addition to organizing promotion and publicity campaigns in coordination with private and public tourism establishments to create an attractive environment for tourists. (Al Mustaqbal, April 25, 2019)

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Revitalizing Saida during Ramadan

24-4-2019

The head of the Future Parliamentary Bloc, MP Bahia Hariri, launched on April 21 an initiative to stir up life in the southern capital during the month of Ramadan under the motto ‘Saida, a Ramadan city’. For this purpose, Hariri said she met representatives of civil society groups, owners of restaurants, young entrepreneurs, Saida mayor and the chairman of Saida Merchants Association to consult for a comprehensive promotion of the image of the city. Participants discussed how to present Saida as a Ramadan city grooming it to receive visitors from all over Lebanon throughout the nights of the holy month. Preparations included the installation of attractive street decorations or hosting diverse activities in the open spaces and landmarks of the old city and its environs, in addition to engaging sectors concerned about reviving the heritage of the city. Stressing the importance of coordination and networking between all industries and associations, Hariri concluded, that despite the pressing economic situation in the country, our aim is to boost the city’s cycle and urge its residents to join in. (Al Diyar, April 22, 2019)

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Creating 48 thousand youth jobs

24-4-2019

The head of the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, Ibrahim Kanaan, met yesterday a joint delegation of the Indian government and the World Bank, in the presence of the Regional Director of the Mashreq Department, WB, Saroj Kumar Jha. The purpose of the meeting was to follow up the parliamentary delegation’s talks with the World Bank in DC, concerning the WB sponsored project targeting Lebanon’s youth on the long term. This includes the rehabilitation, education and job creation in the technology sector, up to securing around 48,000 jobs by 2025. According to Al Diyar newspaper, the first phase of the project will be launched on the first of July, 2019, targeting Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan, to reach tentatively half a million new jobs. This reportedly requires those countries to upgrade and develop their technological infrastructure, especially in communications. (Al Diyar, April 24, 2019)

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Smart tourism corner in Tripoli, heritage tourism week in Tyre

23-4-2019

The minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, jointly with MP Faisal Karameh, launched on April 21, the ‘Smart Corner for Digital Tourism’, an initiative by the Chamber of Commerce in Tripoli and the North, at the Chamber’s premises in the northern capital. On the occasion, applied models were presented of a number of religious, heritage and touristic sites in Tripoli, Mina and Batroun and which professionally taken using the 3D scanner 360 imaging. Guidanian said the smart corner is a key pillar for cooperation and a meeting point for tourists, where they can virtually explore and visit any one of the landmarks before hitting the sites on ground. This is an excellent step, he boasted, especially that it will be open to all Lebanese regions. Guidanian also mentioned the signing of a partnership agreement to this effect, stressing the need for his ministry to contribute its share of the project in order to benefit from it at the national level. On the other hand, on April 22, under the patronage of the municipality of Tyre, and UNIFIL participation, the ‘Tyre Brings Us Together’ group, kicked off a festival in the heart of the city, in the presence of the minister of culture, Mohamad Daoud, and dignitaries. Two other exhibitions, including, the Lebanese and Continental Food Expo and the Handicrafts and Mouneh Fair by Tyre women, were also opened. On the occasion, UNIFIL Commander stressed, in his address, the unyielding support of his forces to local residents and the municipalities in implementing archeological undertakings, noting their significance in the blending of civilizations and cultures. Daoud for his part, said his ministry will be in the forefront in sponsoring similar activities. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, April 23, 2019)
 

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