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Loan to expand Tripoli Port, plans for a regional hub

15-11-2018

The Lebanese parliament approved on November 12 a draft bill related to the Islamic Bank loan worth of USD86 million to expand and develop the Tripoli Port, as well as the implementation by the Council of Development and Reconstruction. On the subject, the director general of Tripoli Port, Ahmad Tamer, said the loan will turn the facility into a strategic logistic location boasting the technology and infrastructure that equips it to be one of the most important ports, not only in Lebanon but also in the region. The loan, Tamer added, will be used to rehabilitate the infrastructure inside the port, including the roads network, bridges, car parkings, buildings, electronic equipment, laboratories and cargo. In a summary of the feasibility study, Tamer explained that the accommodation capacity of the port will be upgraded from 20,000 to 270,000 containers annually, pointing out that the projected port traffic planned by the consultant (Dar Al Handasah & Associates) has estimated the economic internal rate of returns (EIRR) at 39.8%, indicating good economic feasibility (More info on the following link: (https://bit.ly/2Fpvwp8). Tamer described the step as a historic achievement that would certainly transform the port of Tripoli into a sophisticated, multimodal and intelligent logistics venue. Similarly, in the efforts to support the northern capital, Al Diyar newspaper reported that the president of the Chambers of Commerce for Tripoli and the North, Tawfic Dabussi, plans to launch an investment undertaking through the construction of a seafront area extending (23 kms) from Tripoli Port to Tabaneh, Badawi, Deir Amar and Abdeh and connecting to the Kleiat airport. It is expected to play a pivotal role in the reconstruction of neighboring Syria and Iraq and a transit route to Arab Gulf, Turkey and European countries. This project will generate scores of jobs needed by Lebanon and the region, Dabussi said, adding that it will not cost the government much if in the framework of partnership between the private and public sectors. It also comes from the conviction of the advanced countries in its vitality, Dabussi maintained, revealing that the Chinese ambassador to Lebanon has assured him that it serves the Silk Road Initiative, and expressed willingness to contribute to its financing. (Al Diyar, AL Mustaqbal, November 11, 14, 2018)

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Further consultations on legalizing cannabis and tobacco farmers protest prices

15-11-2018

The parliamentary subcommittee studying the draft bill for the legalization of cannabis for medicinal use held its third meeting yesterday and listened to scientific presentations by the Syndicate of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Lebanon and a number of specialists on the subject. The head of the committee, MP Yassin Jaber, disclosed that participants agreed on the importance of planning workshops to elucidate the explanatory statements for the bill which hosts local and foreign experts to this end. In the same context, the president of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Samir Geagea, met yesterday a delegation of the counternarcotics Oum el Nour organization and Cenacle de La Lumiere for the recovery of drug addicts, to discuss the above draft law. The LF shared the delegation its fears and concerns towards this step, hence pressing for the adoption and implementation of the said law in consistence with the positive purpose on which it was based. Also, in the updates on the tobacco harvest, one farmer at a Regie center in the southern town of Mais el Jabal, protested to the price set by the officer authorized to buy the supplies from growers (between LBP 13,000 and 500,000), demanding fairness to this effect. Citing Regie sources, Al Akhbar newspaper said the above officer determined the price based on the condition of the farmers’ produce which was poor this year due to the fungal disease which hit large quantities of the crop. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, November 10, 15, 2018

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Lebanese appeal to Syria to reduce transit fares

14-11-2018

An Nahar daily wrote that hopes Lebanese farmers and exporters built on the reopening of the Nassib Crossing to restore the flow of Lebanese goods through the Jordanian border into Arab Gulf markets were dashed due to the Syrian decision on September 10 to raise the transit fees. (c.f: https://goo.gl/iWYnqc). The newspaper cited the head of the Syndicate of Owners of Trucks in Lebanon, Shafiq Lakikis, as saying that the number of trucks passing via the crossing is small as a result of the Syrian measure, negatively affecting export activity. Kassis revealed to An Nahar that, in light of the current stagnation in the industrial, agricultural and productive sectors, and the huge losses incurred on the land transport sector over the past years due to the closure of the borders, the Lebanese side may settle on a 2% - 4% or even 5% increase but not on 10% as is the case today. Lakkis called for reciprocity in accordance with the Arab Facilitation Agreement and other treaties signed between Lebanon, Syrian and Jordan, pointing out that Syrian trucks transport their goods via Lebanese territory into Syria without charge. Concerned transport and export circles, Lakkis said, demanded charges be levied on Syrian trucks correspondingly. Citing informed sources, An Nahar wrote that Syrian enforced tariffs on some refrigerated trailers carrying vegetables have reached nearly USD 1200. Similarly, Jordan imposed USD 140 per ton on trucks, An Nahar said, noting that Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom, Tracey Shamoun, has intervened but did not succeed in reducing the transit fees to this effect. (An Nahar, November 10, 2018)
 

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Berytech in Amsheet to help startups

13-11-2018

Berytech launched yesterday the 7th edition of the Global Social Venture Competition GSVC, which is an international contest to inspire and empower young social entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into feasible and scalable projects with the aim to develop innovative solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges. In the details, Lebanese startups compete in the local contest and the winner makes it to the international finals representing Lebanon among hundreds of startups from more than 60 countries. Startups wishing to take part should apply through Berytech website before December 3. On the other hand, the foundation stone was laid on November 3 for the Berytech building in Amsheet by the initiative of Michel Issa Foundation for Local Development (MIF). The center will be the first hub for business outside Greater Beirut area. The purpose of the project is to attract young people from the districts of Kesrwan, Jbeil and the governorate of the North, and provide them with the support and assistance they need to start their own enterprises in the fields of technology, agriculture, tourism and others. The project also boasts an academic element where USJ will be present in Jbeil for the first time through the Berytech center, according to Issa.(AL Akhbar, November 13, 2018)

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Appeal to stop inflow of foreign olive oil

9-11-2018

The head of the Olive Committee at the National Gathering for Agricultural Committees in Lebanon, George Constantine Inati, disclosed in a press conference on November 3 that scores of trucks loaded with foreign olives and olive oil disguised with piles of vegetables enter Lebanese territory every day or through illegal border crossings. These trucks, Inati said, unload their goods in areas famous for olive cultivation in front of local farmers, noting that the olive harvest is not over, which aggravated further the crisis caused by climate change. Inati explained that olive oil that most of city residents buy from stores and hypermarkets in bottles carrying generic labels with the name of olive oil, which in fact are adulterated with caustic soda and re-colored with different pigments. A large number of agricultural cooperatives had already appealed to LIBNOR to change the forged oil label without reaching a conclusion. The made-in-Lebanon virgin olive oil, Inati said, is available at the presses, agricultural coops and with olive farmers in areas famous for planting olives. In this context, Al Mustaqbal newspaper brought to light the olive harvest season which began last Friday in Wadi Halta on the outskirts of Kfarshouba, Arkoub. The event is an opportunity for the village residents to meet after they parted due to general unfavorable circumstances, the newspaper wrote. The beautiful tradition of olive picking in Wadi Halta is disrupted by the difficulty of harvesting the crop and the costs incurred on land proprietors, including plowing and tilling, pruning of trees and spraying of pesticides and the labor for helping in the picking, in addition to the fierce competition of imported or smuggled complementary goods that invade the domestic markets. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, November 4, 7, 2018)

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Beirut Cooking Festival, Salon du Chocolat

9-11-2018

The minister of tourism in the caretaker government, Avedis Guidanian, inaugurated yesterday the 8th edition of the Beirut Cooking Festival and the 5th edition of Salon du Chocolat at the Seaside Arena. The 3-day event is expected to receive over 15 thousand visitors. On the occasion, the managing director of Hospitality Services organizing the festival, Joumana Damous Salameh, said: “We are delighted to host these annual festivities that celebrate rich tastes and flavors in Beirut to the end of promoting the capital as a global food destination.” More than 40 chefs and food experts will share their passion and showgoers are invited to explore an assortment of international cuisines and new products from the 100 and more exhibiting stands. The Salon du Chocolat will embrace some 60 participants showcasing the latest in chocolate, pastry and confectionary, in addition to the popular chocolate fashion show which gathers Lebanese designers and renowned pastry chefs who will team up to create extravagant gowns made from chocolate. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, November 9, 2018)

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Country sinks in pollution, while some fanaticize about a Green Lebanon

8-11-2018

In the midst of the escalating environmental crisis, including polluted river waters and water for domestic use, as well as air pollution, the first Lebanese Lady, Nadia Chami Aoun, on November 2, kicked off the 2018-2019 reforestation campaign from Ehmej Cedars, Jbeil. The campaign to recall, is part of the 40 Million Tree initiative. Aoun also launched the environmental project undertaken by her and the president to connect cedar forests across the country. Similarly, the leading mobile operator, Touch, announced its continuous partnership with Lebanon Reforestation Initiative through the fourth edition of ‘Touch Forests’. Touch planted 8,000 seedlings in the South as part of its support to the national forestation plan to the end of establishing a more sustainable ecosystem. On the other hand, the Environment Scouts Association in Lebanon condemned the ecological massacre of ancient forest trees in Qilla, on the highest slopes of Jourd Hrar sitting between Diniyeh, Akkar and Hermel. The association recorded the cutting of the trees calling for the immediate intervention of the ministries of agriculture and environment. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 25, 26, November 3, 2018)

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Committee dwells on legalization of cannabis for medical use

8-11-2018

The parliamentary subcommittee studying the draft bill for legalization of the cannabis for medical use held its first two meetings on October 29 and November 6 and listened to a presentation by agricultural specialists on the subject. The committee however did not start revising the legal texts of the proposal, according to committee head, Yassin Jaber, who pointed out that the marijuana planted here is different from the cannabis projected for medical uses. There are many varieties of the crop, including the medical marijuana that does not make a person high. The question raised during both meetings, Jaber explained, focused on the economic feasibility of legalizing the agriculture and the proceeds going to farmers. He said he will invite McKinsey experts to elaborate on the subject, especially that the firm in its recovery strategy for Lebanon’s economy advised for legalizing medical marijuana. In a related development, the president of the ‘Al Arz al Watani’ list (Baalbek-Hermel constituency, elections 2018), General Fouad Maalouli, disclosed during a press conference on October 23, that the legalization of cannabis, similar to the US legislation, brings big cash into the State treasury, (USD 6 billion annually) and is used for medical purposes. Maalouli said the legalization is expected to help around 40,000 households under the poverty line, including 37,000 wanted fugitives. (Al Mustaqbal, October 24, 30, November 1, 8, 2018)

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Regie begins collecting tobacco from southern farmers

7-11-2018

The Regie Libanaise de Tabacs et Tombacs began yesterday the delivery of tobacco supplies from southern farmers at a price of LBP 13,500 and 14,000 per kg. Tobacco growers for their part, appealed to House Speaker Nabih Berri, the finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and all concerned officials to raise the prices commensurate with the costs of cultivation of this crop. The chief of the Federation of Trade Unions of Tobacco Farmers in Lebanon, Hassan Faqih, explained that the delivery process is underway in 11 Regie centers in the South, namely, in Nabatiyeh, Saida, Siddiqin, Tibnin, Sawaneh, Srifa, Rmeish, Aitroun, Mais el Jabal, Aita el Shaab and Dahir. This year’s harvest was good, as well as the prices, he said, asking the Regie administration, in collaboration with the Federation and agricultural coops, to continue their support program to this agriculture. (Al Mustaqbal, November 7, 2018)

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Tripoli conference on job opportunities recommends a comprehensive recovery plan

6-11-2018

The development follow-up committee of the Order of Engineers of Tripoli announced during a press conference on Friday the recommendations of the ‘Unemployment and employment prospects for Tripoli and the North’ conference held on October 20. The recommendations called for the adoption of a comprehensive and cohesive recovery plan to address unemployment, and for the amendment of legislations related to public sector recruitment through prioritizing area residents. They also emphasized the need to review the educational system taking into account the relatedness of college majors and labor market requirements, while noting the structural transformations that have taken place in recent years. Recommendations also highlighted the need to encourage small and medium enterprises to invest more in promising sectors that endorse the principle of sustainability in the use of resources; promote the culture of quality throughout the entire production process reaching up to the consumer; launch of government led initiatives to speed up the return of industries to Tripoli, and release updated periodic data to be used by decision makers in the public and private sectors. (more info on the following link: : https://goo.gl/VLxW46. (Al Mustaqbal, November 3, 2018)

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