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Lebanon imports of carpets stand at USD 30 million

7-12-2018

Lebanon’s total imports of carpets amounted to 9,830 tons at USD 30 million during 2017, compared to its exports of 235 tons at USD 1,300,000 during the same period; Al Akhbar daily reported citing customs figures. Turkey, the newspaper said, is the leading supplier of carpets to Lebanon, with imports reaching around 4,000 tons’ worth of USD 9,200,000, followed by Iran (514 tons at USD 2,850,000) and Belgium (503 tons at USD 2,120,000). Lebanon also imports carpets from some 84 other countries, including, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Argentina, Jordan, Spain, Australia, Estonia, South Africa and Afghanistan. (Al Akhbar, December 7, 2018)

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9.7% expected growth of Lebanon ICT sector

6-12-2018

The minister of administrative development in the caretaker government, Inaya Izzedine, disclosed yesterday that the IT and communications sector in Lebanon has seen a cumulative growth rate of 7% in the past years, anticipating a further growth of 9.7% by 2019. Izzedine was speaking during the opening of the Informatics and Telecommunications Conference organized by the Order of Engineers and Architects, 3rd branch (Consulting Electrical Engineers) under the title: ‘ICT in Lebanon: Towards a brighter future’. Izzedine said the distinctive feature of the IT sector is that it helps create complementary investment milieus among the vital economic sectors. She stressed that providing incentives and supporting stakeholders in their shift towards a knowledge-based economy can stimulate the growth of small and medium enterprises. Another feature of this sector, Izzedine maintained, is that it is considered as an essential source of comprehensive and sustainable development due to its contribution to growth and production, creation of jobs, innovation of environmental mechanisms and improvement of health conditions. For his part, the head of the OEA Third Branch, Jamal Haidar, pointed out that the ICT sector in the country embraces some 800 companies, mostly SMEs. He said that companies which produce software products and services employ around 5,000 high skilled people, with a growing demand on ICT skills on annual basis. (Al Mustaqbal, December 6, 2018)

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Youth employment: 2018 fair for job orientation, WB reports on work & education

5-12-2018

With the support of Drosos Foundation, the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD) and Semeurs d’Avenir association organized yesterday the 7th edition of the Orientation and Employment Fair, 2018 at Forum de Beyrouth. On the occasion, the head of the association, Julien Feghali, said the labor market badly needs technical Lebanese youth talents, asking how a company or institution can survive without its maintenance and technological crew who connect technology with the consumer. Meanwhile, during a seminar held at AUB last Friday and entitled, ‘Preparing for the future: dialogue on youth, education and technology’, the World Bank launched two respective reports, ‘The changing nature of work’ and ‘A new framework for education in the Middle East and North Africa’. On the occasion, the vice president for the World Bank Group for Middle East and North Africa, Farid Belhaj, emphasized that above reports are closely related and key to the development in the region and Lebanon, which already made a few constructive steps. But what is needed today, Belhaj explained, is for Lebanon to have a vision for the future, especially in light of the anticipated large numbers of graduates in the labor market. By 2030, Belhaj said, 350 million jobs will be needed, which means that there are some 350 million young people out there who want to enter the labor market. Education is essential for preparing the youth to draw a better future, with a focus on technology, Belhaj concluded.(Al Mustaqbal, December 1, 5, 2018)

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Made in Iran saffron seeks global competition

5-12-2018

AFP published a feature on Iranian saffron which is considered a vital national resource in the country as it produces nearly 90% of the herb around the world. The saffron harvest season lasts only 10 days during the month of November where flowers blossom ready to be picked. Then comes the delicate process of removing stamens from saffron petals, an activity done mainly by women either at their home or in a factory. The price of one kg of saffron in local markets is more than 600 euros, and the price could increase 10 or 20 folds for the exported spice. AFP said, that in the absence of proper promotion and publicity, Iranian saffron does not seem to be familiar to people abroad, as the largest part of domestic production is exported wholesale to countries that reprocess them according to their needs. The CEO of Novin Saffron, Ali Shariati, is campaigning for ‘Made in Iran’ motto, yet the mission is tough, he maintained, given the major export markets have their own needs for the spice. Spain for example, wants the powder for paella, Britain is after the entire threads for Indian cuisine and Sweden wants tiny amounts to use for seasonal treats, Shariati explained. He finally pressed for innovating and adapting production to compete with the marketing in other countries. (Al Mustaqbal, November 29, 2018)

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French support for strengthening municipal capacities

4-12-2018

A training workshop was held on Friday under the title, ‘Dialogue and consultation of local development projects’ with the participation of social activists and representatives of the Federations of the Municipalities of Sahl, Qalaa and Hasbani as well as the municipalities of Tabnin and Brital. The 2-day activity aimed at building and strengthening the capacities of Lebanese municipalities, training local development officers and laying the groundwork for sustainable local development. To note, ‘Promoting the capacities of Lebanese Municipalities and provision of training in local development 2016-2018’ program was implemented in partnership with the committee of Lebanese mayors with the technical support of the French National Center for the Training of Local Authority Personnel and financial funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. During the workshop, trainer Pierre Falfali explained the goals, methodology, axes and techniques of dialogue and consultation within working groups, as well as, the study of societal needs and how to determine the identity of a development undertaking and the role of key players in civil society before, during and after the project. (Al Mustaqbal, December 3, 2018)

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Rashaya Fukhar holds on to pottery craft

28-11-2018

In its issue of today, Al Mustaqbal newspaper shed light on the art pottery making in Rashaya Fukhar, Hasbaya, pointing out that residents of the area are keen to revive one of the earliest crafts in their region. On the subject, the former mukhtar, Geryis Hafiz Khalil, explained that Rashaya was 30 years ago an industrial village compared to the neighboring villages and was in need of a large workforce. He lamented the decline of vintage crafts due to several factors, notably neglect, the absence of government initiatives for rural development and promotion of traditional trades, namely pottery and, foreign competition, mainly from China, to domestic ceramics, particularly from Rashaya which is distinguished for its thin and colored texture. One of the very few experienced craftspersons still hanging on to this traditional industry is Jihad Esbir. The latter criticized planners and organizers of heritage and artisan events in many Lebanese towns who use foreign pottery masters and claim them as Lebanese artisans. (Al Mustaqbal, November 28, 2018)

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Projects for youth education and innovation

27-11-2018

Within the framework of ‘Public policies and Lubnan al Qawi’, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), minister Jibran Bassil launched yesterday four projects targeting youth. These are: Lebanon in a Picture, and the political tourism program, granting students preparing their masters or doctoral thesis the right to use the Parliament Library in their research, sharing political, economic and social dynamics and understanding the real performance and context of work inside the Lebanese public institutions. Bassil said the projects were part of a large national workshop that cannot be carried out by a single lawmaker, but is the responsibility of all, particularly, civil education and political education designed to build the national identity which is the core of the work. Meanwhile, Saida was the scene yesterday for the Model Arab League MAL 2018 workshops implemented jointly by LAU and the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development for the 8th consecutive year. Around 333 Middle and High School students from 27 private and public schools in Saida and environs participated this year. To note, this year’s subject was innovation, where participants were asked to address it under more than one theme, like for example, ‘youth and innovation’ and ‘women and innovation’. In the same vein, An Nahar daily drew attention to the cultural and educational exchange programs by the US Embassy Public Affairs Bureau, pointing to the YES program that encourages students to attend an American school and to the experience gained by the youth from studying abroad. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, November 24, 27, 2018)

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Turkey turndown two Lebanese trade ships, locals in Tripoli protest the decision

26-11-2018

Turkish authorities have prohibited the entry of two ships carrying scrap metal from Lebanon in response to Lebanon’s ban on the import of specific goods from Turkey. The Lebanese wholesalers, suppliers and exporters of scrap staged a sit in yesterday in front of the Tripoli Port entrance to protest Turkey’s veto on the importation of metal scrap from Lebanon. Rashid Kesrouan stressed, on behalf of the protestors, that the Turkish decision and the Lebanese government’s reluctance in finding a quick solution to the impasse will escalate the situation and exacerbate the rates of unemployment in the Northern capital, noting that this business is one of the most popular in the country and the North in particular. In turn, the Syndicate of Workers and Contract Workers of Tripoli Port announced in a statement by its head, Ahmad Saeed, that the suspension of scrap metal export from Tripoli to Turkey will be detrimental to the national economy, the trade balance and the Port’s workforce. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, November 24, 2018)

 

Related news: 
Upon Hariri’s request, ban on Turkish imports postponed
Ban on Turkish imports stears support and opposition
Ban of import of cloths, food from Turkey to support domestic industry
 

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Growing Chinese interest in Tripoli Port, residents grieve official abuse

23-11-2018

In efforts to revive Lebanon’s second capital, the director of Tripoli Port, Ahmad Tamer, on November 21 discussed with the managing director of COSCO Chinese Shipping lines in Lebanon, Marwan Yamen, the possibility of initiating a maritime line between China and the Port. Both parties agreed on opening a direct weekly shipping route starting December 24, facilitating the company’s regular exports of Chinese products via the northern port. Recalling, this step comes after the inauguration on November 9 by the French Cmacgm Congo of a regular and fast freight forwarding service between the Port of Tripoli and China (c.f: https://bit.ly/2FCjoB8). Following the meeting, Tamer announced that as of the first quarter of 2019, the port will begin with implementation of projects financed by the Islamic Bank and which are expected to transform the port into a smart logistics facility. On the other hand, Al Diyar newspaper reported that the Tripoli Municipality has warned the owners of illegal shops and kiosks as well as the wheat marketplace to evacuate within a short period of time otherwise they will be bulldozed. This ultimatum, Al Diyar wrote, has sparked a wave of popular protest, namely from the inhabitants of the impoverished Tabbaneh neighborhood who voiced their disapproval of the abrupt municipal decision. Accusations were directed to some political leaders in the northern capital who have given up on Bab al Tabbaneh, Al Diyar said. While the majority of Tripoli residents support the right of the municipality in enforcing the laws, however, this right does not entitle them to confiscate the livelihoods of the people without securing an alternative, especially that this exacerbates the rate of poverty, deprivation and unemployment, Al Diyar reported. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, November 22, 2018)

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World Bank for inspiring youth to join private sector

19-11-2018

The Businessmen and Businesswomen in the World association (RDCL) presided by Fouad Zamakhal on Friday organized a talk with World Bank Vice President for MENA region, Farid Balhaj and the Regional Director of the Mashreq Department, Saroj Kumar Jha, to discuss the WB’s view on the current economic situation in Lebanon, as well as the vision and forecast for the coming period, locally and regionally. Zamakhal said although the meeting was conditional on the presence of government representatives, it took place on RDCL’s insistence that the WB support should by priority target citizens, households and companies, in addition to Lebanese business people around the globe. He called for greater backing to Lebanese firms in the doldrums in order to build a sustainable growth and create jobs. Zamakhal pointed out that the main predicament which faces Lebanon’s economy is the no-growth situation. Growth is the only solution to reduce deficit, generate employment, and confront the most serious challenge of unemployment (26%), Zamakhal said, urging the World Bank to work up a recovery plan to address the social and economic stalemate. For his part, Belhaj noted that, despite its noticeable efforts in education, Lebanon is not achieving high results to this end, pointing to the present critical economic conditions, and stressing the need to lift restrictions on young people and encourage them to work in the private sector. Similarly, Kumar Jha explained that the crisis in Lebanon is interrelated with environmental factors, renewable energy as well as financial and digital technologies, which largely contribute to the development of national economy. (Al Diyar, November 17, 2018)

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