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Foreign dumping: After potato and apple, bananas

2-4-2019

The anguish of Lebanese farmers continues in the absence of official support for agriculture and as a result of the fierce foreign competition. In a statement issued on March 30, the South Farmers Gathering appealed to the Customs Director General and to concerned anti-smuggling apparatus to strictly monitor all border checkpoints to stop the illicit entry of foreign bananas to the end of protecting the national crop. This situation, the statement added, is due to the invasion of the local market by foreign bananas of the local markets inflicting huge losses on the Lebanese farmer. The head of the Gathering, Mohamad Husseini, pointed out that the ongoing smuggling activity of a great number of goods, namely bananas, has created an additional economic crisis to distressed domestic growers. He called on the government to speed up action to put an end to the illegitimate entry of foreign goods through irregular border crossings. (Al Diyar, March 30, 2019)

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Conference on local youth investment

1-4-2019

The minister of tourism, Avedis Guidanian, launched on March 29, the Youth & Rural Tourism Conference, organized by Rethinking Lebanon NGO in partnership with the tourism ministry, and in the presence of representatives of diplomatic missions, tourism entrepreneurs and concerned students from various universities. On the occasion, Guidanian expressed optimism about the immediate future of tourism in Lebanon, anticipating a remarkable rise in the number of tourists, particularly visitors from Arab and GCC states. He also stressed the importance of giving young people the incentives and appropriate circumstances to make encourage them to stay and invest in their land. He pointed out that plans set by his ministry endorse rural tourism to the end of achieving a comprehensive and sustainable development of rural areas and of the overall economy. The conference spotlighted a group of young entrepreneurs who were successful to invest in their villages through rural tourism projects, hence contributing to the development of their communities and to domestic economy at large. Among these enterprises are, Darb al Karam food heritage foundation in West Beqaa, by Petra Shedid and a project by Ceasar Mahmud involving guest houses and organic farms he owns in the Shuf town of Barook, among other undertakings in Ain Zhalta, Batroon, Akura and Majdal Akura. To note, the conference will be followed by field trips over a period of three weeks in various Lebanese regions (the North, Beqaa and Mount Lebanon). The aim is to view and promote these projects on the ground and, through them, promote the concept of rural tourism. (Al Mustaqbal, March 30, 2019)

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‘Walk to Protect’ Lebanon Mountain Trail

29-3-2019

President Michel Aoun launched yesterday from the Presidential Palace the Lebanon Mountain Trail ‘Walk to Protect’ Campaign. The latter is aimed to preserve the 470 km path connecting the country’s North and South traversing some 75 villages and towns and attracting thousands of visitors every year, from locals and Lebanese expats. President Aoun expressed his confidence that, “during their trek, the Lebanese will definitely love and appreciate their country more, which deepens their attachment to it.” Villages that suffer inattention will hence safeguard their people’s connection and rootedness to their land, he maintained. Similarly, LMT head, Maya Karkur, outlined the achievements made by the association during 11 years of its work. These include: the construction, maintenance and placing road signs to guide hikers on the 470 km mountain track; encouraging local inhabitants to set up guesthouses (around 60 of them); the training of 60 local guides; provision of hundreds of jobs for towns residents and generation of direct revenues for villages through which the trail passes. (Al Diyar, March 29, 2019)

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Emergency to salvage national industry

28-3-2019

The Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) declared yesterday an industrial emergency due to the serious deterioration in the sector. The announcement was made during a broad meeting with the presence of MPs owner of industries, namely Neemeh Efrem, Shawky Dakkash, Nazih Najem, Nicolas Nahhas, Mohammad Soleyman, Agop Therezian, Michel Daher, Roger Azar and Michel Moawad. LIA chief, Fadi Gemayel, opened the meeting calling for salvaging the national industry and institutions as well as the prospect of jobs for the Lebanese youth. Problems and risks are building up, Gemayel maintained, while officials are distracted by unnecessary scuffles. “War is being waged on us from all sides, internally and externally, mainly by illicit competition, dumping, illegitimate establishments and smuggling,” he grieved. This eventually led to the shutdown of hundreds of factories and the displacement of thousands of families, he said, declaring a state of alert and full preparedness to rescue what remained of the domestic industry. In turn, the industry minister, Wael Abu Fa3ur, pointed out that currently, industry is functioning unprotected from illegal foreign competition amidst the continuation of the unfair agreement signed between Lebanon and some countries. Measures taken by the ministry to this end are being opposed by supporters of revenue-generating economy, Abu Fa3ur noted. At the end of the meeting, MPs participants, signed an industrial memo of understanding which called notably for the following measures: end dumping, smuggling and illicit competition, enforcing compulsory procurement of refugee aid from local products and industry, boosting exports. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, March 28, 2019)

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Lebanese wines at Prowein Fair, Germany

28-3-2019

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper drew attention to Lebanon’s presence at the 25th edition of Prowein International Fair, (specializing in wine) in Dusseldorf, Germany from March 17 to 19. The Lebanese pavilion hosted 8 wine producing companies, namely, Ksara, Ixsir, Kefraya, Adyar, Saint-Thomas, Heritage, Omsiyat and Domaine des Tourelles. The Lebanese wine has seen wide audience and attracted many wine and spirits professionals and visitors due to its excellent quality and relatively low price. More than 6,900 exhibitors from 64 countries participated and over 61,500 guests from 142 countries attended. (An Nahar, March 28, 2019)

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Developing employees’ technological skills

28-3-2019

The oil and gas economy and human resource development expert Fadi Jawad, elucidated yesterday the reality of the Lebanese and Arab labor market, pinpointing its needs and global trends in terms of recruitment requirements. Jawad was speaking during his participation in the conference, ‘Education: between specialization and the labor market’ organized by the Center for Development of Creativity (CDC) at the premises of the Tripoli and North Chamber. Jawad called on the ministry of administrative development to draft a study on the skill requirements of the labor market to avoid the buildup of university graduates in unwanted disciplines. He cited a report published by Oxford University which showed that nearly 47% of current jobs will not need manpower in the future, due to the development of robots and technology which is threatening the international labor market. The fast evolution the world is witnessing today with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has led to the extinction of a large number of occupations, but noted that the shift to the digital world will generate new careers that will fill the vacancy gap. Towards the end of the conference, Jawad appealed to private sector business leaders and entrepreneurs to start putting strategies to empower their staff through building their skills in line with the technological uprising. (An Nahar, March 28, 2019)

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Lebanese brands popular at Franchise Expo Paris

27-3-2019

The Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) was present at the Franchise Expo Paris 2019 (March 17-20) in a pavilion boasting distinctive Lebanese brands. Participants and show goers reportedly voiced admiration for the ingenuity of Lebanese producers in creating uniqueness and enhancing marketing techniques, as well as in provision of the most state-of-the-art services to meet a wider range of consumers. On the occasion, LFA head, Yehya Kas’a, stressed the success of the first contribution by Lebanon at the Franchise Expo which is dubbed a world’s leading and most diversified franchise exposition. This, Kas’a maintained, will encourage a greater number of brand owners to seize their place at similar international events which allow them to learn about novel products on the one hand, and to present the Lebanese trademarks and concepts at a forum which is a hub for most renowned investors from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and some Asian countries. Kas’a discussed with the Paris Expo director the importance of his country’s presence in this year’s event, and the need to activate it in the coming years at a larger exhibition area consistent with the success it reaped. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, March 27, 2019)

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Caree Guidance Exhibition at Balamand University-Kura campus

27-3-2019

In collaboration with BLOM Youth section at BLOM Bank, the Center of Recruitment Services at Balamand University organized on March 23 the annual Career Guidance Fair targeting high school students in North Lebanon. A statement by the university said that, such activities contribute to raising awareness among the young generation helping them to pick the right discipline in line with the career they carry passion for. The above exhibition allowed around 800 student beneficiaries to attend 20 different lectures by specialists, the statement added. This is the sixth year in a row, which makes the event an anticipated successful annual scene at the Balamand campus in Kura. (Al Diyar, March 27, 2019)

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Applying for national poverty program

26-3-2019

The ministry of social affairs (MoSA) clarified in a statement on March 23 the method of obtaining the Emergency National Poverty Targeting Program (ENPTP) and the individual disability card. The information that has been surfacing on the media and social media is reportedly inaccurate. Regarding the ENPTP cards, the statement explained that concerned citizens should apply at the designated centers, followed by a field inspection of the applicant’s home where a detailed questionnaire or form is filled. Based on the results, cards are issued to around 44,000 extremely poor households across Lebanon. MoSA pointed out that the figure 44,000 has been determined after a joint survey between involved parties including the council of ministers, MoSA, the World Bank and FAO, corresponding to the allocated financing. The ministry statement also stressed that the economic reality of beneficiaries will be updated periodically. As for the handicapped personal card, MoSA maintained that the disabled person in subject has to undergo a medical examination at the centers of the provision of the rights of disabled persons to assess the degree of disability, whether it fits list specified by MoSA and the ministry of health. Based on that, the applicant will or will not benefit from the above card. For more, kindly visit the link below: https://goo.gl/AJPpCg. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 23, 24, 2019)
 

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After potato, apple crisis around the corner

22-3-2019

After the crisis of the Egyptian potato dumping domestic markets, the chief of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, warned of the resurfacing of the apple crisis in the coming weeks, An Nahar reported. Howayek told the newspaper that apples are stacked in cold storage in many areas across Lebanon. Farmers, he said, are faced with difficulties in disposing of their annual produce, in addition to the daily smuggling of the fruits from neighboring Syria. Combined with the marketing hurdle, Lebanese apples this season did not boast quality specifications because of the drizzles and cold storms that hit Lebanon which resulted in the production of large amounts of the crop that cannot be sold, according to Howayek. The continued recklessness on part of the government is a crime, Howayek maintained, stressing that agriculture cannot recuperate outside tangible plans, including the set-up of the National Bank for Agricultural Development, and disaffiliating the agriculture chamber from the chamber of commerce. Meanwhile, the minister of agriculture, Hassan Lakis, is preparing to visit Syria to discuss the facilitation of the entry of made-in-Lebanon products into Syrian territory, An Nahar wrote. Discussions are expected to cover the high fees imposed on Lebanese trucks and how to ease the expedite the flow of Lebanese goods into Arab outlets, An Nahar said. (An Nahar, March 20, 2019)

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