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Lebanon in Gastrodiplomacy - Canada

19-9-2018

A delegation from the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-clubs & Pastries in Lebanon participated in the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference held on September 15 in Canada. Toni Rami, the president of the syndicate, underlined the importance of promoting Lebanon’s image locally and among the diaspora communities through Lebanese cuisine, as well as, sustaining the authenticity of Lebanese eateries in those communities. The delegation, which returned to Beirut yesterday, has visited the Municipality of Montreal and the Canadian-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. Discussions focused on the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the Lebanese food and on buoying up the Lebanese culinary sector to open branches of Lebanese diners and brasseries in Canada, with the support of the private sector and diplomatic missions. Rami revealed that the ministries of foreign affairs, tourism and other concerned ministries and the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants have, two months ago, signed a memorandum of understanding to form a national committee devoted to campaign for gastrodiplomacy in the diaspora countries. (Al Diyar, September 19, 2018)

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Renewed efforts to rescue Bsharri apple harvest

18-9-2018

In a letter to Prime Minister Saad Hariri, MP Sitrida Geagea lamented the unmarketable apple produce in Bshareh and Jibbet Bshareh, North Lebanon, after being exposed to excessive humidity during the summer which caused tremendous damage to farmers and to the agricultural seasons. Geagea asked Hariri to instruct the Higher Relief Council to send a team of experts to inspect and assess damages in the orchards in preparation for compensating aggrieved farmers. To note, with the approach of the apple harvest season in August, apple growers in Ehden, Tanourin, Bshareh, Laqlouq, up to Mount Lebanon and some parts of the Beqaa, grumbled once again the non-existent markets to dispose their harvest, as well as, the insufficient aid allocated to them (c.f: https://bit.ly/2OASZDN). Meanwhile, the head of Shabash for sorting apples project in Beit Munzer, Bshareh caza, Tony Kayrouz, visited Geagea thanking her support for the plant. The latter, to mention, is now technically prepared to receive and sort the crops from local farmers and prepare them for export according to local, regional and international specifications. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, September 12, 15, 2018)

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Progress towards reopening of vital Nassib trade crossing


An Nahar newspaper reported progress in negotiations between Jordan and Syria on reopening the Nassib border crossing between the two countries, pending final agreement on a number of technical measures. However, An Nahar quoted the Jordanian Government spokesperson, Jumana Ghuneimat, as saying that no specific date has been set for the resumption of its trade activities. Retired brigadier general, Mohamad Alawneh, for his part, stated that the reopening of borders might need more time to create the appropriate security situation needed for the movement of passengers and transport. According to Jordanian military experts, Jordan is looking forward to the reopening of this border crossing which constitutes the ‘northern lung of Jordan’ and is the major transit line connecting Jordan with several other countries. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the reopening of this vital trade crossing was also at the core of discussions between Lebanese and Syrian officials during the Damascus International Fair held recently in the Syrian capital (https://bit.ly/2xj8vO6). (An Nahar, September 18, 2018)

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Inequalities impede the achievement of SDGs

17-9-2018

The World Social Science Report was launched by the AUB on September 13 and 14, under the title, ‘Challenging Inequalities – Pathways to a Just World’. The report warned that increasing inequalities could undermine the sustainability of economies, communities and societies by weakening efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 20130. The report, published in Arabic in collaboration between the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Media Studies, the Arab Alternatives Forum and UNESCO, stressed the significant gaps in social science data with regard to inequalities in different parts of the world. It called for vigorous research into the relation between economic inequalities on the one hand, and disparities in gender, education and health, on the other. And while it showed a 5-fold increase in studies related to inequalities and social justice in academic publications between the years 1992-2013, the report mentioned that many studies don’t pay adequate attention to inequalities outside the areas of income and wealth, like for example, health, education and gender. The report also pointed to 7 interrelated dimensions of inequality: economic, political, social, cultural, environmental, spatial and knowledge-based. These dimensions, the report maintained, create vicious circles of inequalities that pass from one generation to the next. The report stressed that the focus of social science research into inequalities is generally seen in developed countries that keep reliable data, whereas developing states don’t have similar reliable data. According to the report, research has shown a rise in cases of inequalities, noting that 1% of the population owns half of the world’s wealth, and that the wealth of the richest individuals numbering 62 is equivalent to the wealth of the poorest half of humanity. (An Nahar, September 15, 2018)

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Lebanon ranks 80th globally in HDI

17-9-2018

Lebanon scored 0.757 in the Human Development Index HDI published by UNDP for2017, ranking 80th among 189 countries and regionally. Points recorded by Lebanon in the HDI for 2005-2017 have jumped from 0.732 to 0.757, at a 3.4% increase. According to the Index, the average life expectancy at birth in Lebanon has risen by 9.6 years between 1990 and 2017, the average years of schooling by 1.2 years and the average expected years of schooling by 0.8 years. Lebanon’s GNI per capita posted a 49.1% increase between 1990 and 2017. To note, the value of the Human Development Index for Lebanon 2017, which is 0.757, is equal to the value scored by the countries in the HDI and higher than the 0.699 rate scored in the Arab countries. Lebanon also scored 0.381 points in the gender inequality index ranking 85 out of 160 countries covered by the 2017 index. Also and according to the report, Lebanese women hold 3.1% of the seats in parliament; 53.0% of adult Lebanese women have completed their high school education compared to 55.4% of their male peers; the maternal mortality ratio reached 15 maternal deaths per 100 live births, and finally, the rate of women’s participation in the labor market in Lebanon stood at 23.2% compared to 71.1% for men. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, September 15, 2018)

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Absence of classification deprives Tyre of tourism development

14-9-2018

In its issue of today, Al Akbar newspaper said that Lebanon lacks a clear classification of tourist cities, pointing to a sixty year old decree that covers what it calls ‘summer cities’, excluding the coastal ones. On the subject, Al Akhbar spoke to the minister of state for administrative development affairs, Inaya Izzedine, who clarified that said decree has shown partiality to these areas, including increasing their electricity rations and giving them an edge in infrastructure, road network, investment and development undertakings over other areas that remained neglected. Izzedine said she seeks amendment to the current legislation, in collaboration with the ministry of tourism that will include summer and touristic cities. As such, Tyre will receive official recognition for its distinctive touristic potentials and will be noted in any future development initiatives approved and endorsed by the government. Izzidine also stressed that the concepts of tourism and tour guide need to be revised. For his part, Tyre mayor, Hassan Dbouk, pointed out that the city has been passed over, marginalized and unknown by many Lebanese for years, noting that it is a touristic city par excellence hosting scores of visitors and tourists, particularly in the summer months. During the Fitr Holidays this past June, for example, Tyre received more than 50,000 tourists, Dbouk said. Similarly, the head of the Association for Protecting the Environment in Tyre, Ahmad Faraj, maintained that the city boasts all the nitty-gritties of a tourist city and historic ruins which classified it within UNESCO’s World Heritage Cities. (Al Akhbar, September 14, 2018)

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Lebanese wine to China, Aoun calls for increasing production

14-9-2018

President Michel Aoun met yesterday with the director general of the General Organization of Vineyards and Wine, Jean Marie Oran, on the head of a delegation visiting the country. Oran gave Aoun an overview of the activities by the Paris based organization founded in 1924 and embracing 46 wine producing countries. He explained its technical and scientific role and mission in setting high quality international standards for the production and processing of wine, in addition to the development of production and removal of obstacles impeding the exchange of expertise between member states and promoting a wine culture globally. Aoun in turn, welcomed the delegation reminding of the essential and ancient relation between Lebanon and wine, and underlining the importance of cooperation with the Organization, especially in the field of exchange of expertise. Increasing the quantity of production is fundamental for Lebanon at the present time, Aoun said, hoping his country will contribute to enhancing the quality of the product internationally. Oran recalled that Lebanon has been an active member in the organization since 1995, lauding the level of bilateral cooperation between the two sides. For his part, the general director of the ministry of agriculture, Louis Lahoud, revealed that China has opened its markets to receive Lebanese wine, disclosing that the ministry is coordinating with the Chinese embassy in Lebanon to market Lebanese wine. (Al Diyar, September 14, 2018)

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Return of Badaro farmers’ market

13-9-2018

The farmers’ market will return to Badaro neighborhood of Beirut on Sunday September 16 and every Sunday thereon from 9:00 am at Saint-Sauveur School, Museum Street, Al Akhbar reported. Local producers, individuals and rural coops will showcase their organic and chemical-free goods, in addition to traditional mooneh items. The market will also devote a space for children-targeted workshops aimed to raise awareness among kids on diverse environmental issues, and teach them how to recycle and upcycle. The event is organized by Badaro Urban Farmers association, a gathering of individuals involved with promoting green businesses. For more, kindly refer to link below: https://goo.gl/etBPJr . (Al Akhbar, September 13, 2018)

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The case of Nader Saab: President of Order of Physicians accused of leaking report

10-9-2018

After the public prosecutor charged plastic surgeon Nader Saab with causing the death of Farah Qassab (c.f: http://www.lkdg.org/ar/node/16732), the case resurfaced in September 6 when the solicitor general of Mount Lebanon charged the president of the Order of Physicians, Dr. Raymond Sayegh, the head of the former Investigations Committee, Dr. Claude Semaan, and member of the Order, Dr. Joe Haddad, with leaking the Committee’s report based on a complaint submitted by Sayegh against an unkown party and a similar complaint submitted by Saab. According to the information, the prosecutor listened to over 25 physicians mentioned by Sayegh and hence found that the three defendants, while they were on duty at the Order premises, leaked the report which is considered a confidential investigation document. The prosecutor referred them to the Single Judge for trial based on criminal offenses stipulated in the Penal Code that could reach up to one-year imprisonment. Over a phone call with Al Akhbar daily, Sayegh completely denied all charges against him, stressing his capacity as a plaintiff for being the first to file charges against unknown parties for leaking the report. (Al Akhbar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, September 7, 2018)

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Touristic festivities continue

10-9-2018

Under the patronage of minister Avedis Guidanian, the ministry of tourism launched on September 8th a tour to the historic and archeological sites in Tyre and Qana designed for reporters, travel agents and tour guides in the internal tourism sector. The event aims to promote touristic landmarks across Lebanon, and is expected to be followed on September 11 by another tour to Anjar and Majdel Anjar in Beqaa and a third on September 18 to Byblos Jbeil and the environs on the North East coast. The ministry announced that it is planning additional tours to cover the various Lebanese regions, while noting that transportation from Beirut and other logistical arrangements are free for all. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Communist Party organized an environment trail in Wadi Zibqin to declare the Wadi and neighboring towns a natural reserve. Wadi Zibqin, to recall, lies between the villages of Zizqin, Majdel Zoon, Qleileh, Yater, Ramya, Beit Lif and others extending until Occupied Palestine to the south and ending in the sea to the north west. Also, Souk el Akl, in collaboration with Rotaract Saida, concluded yesterday the Street Food Fiesta of Khan el Franj which was distinctive for the architectural design of its facilities made from recyclable material, like wood and plastic, in an attempt to encourage environment conservation under the slogan, ‘Green Saida’. The event which opened on September 7 in cooperation with the municipality, hosted some 25 pavilions for restaurants from the city and outside that showcased a variety of foods, sweets and juices catering to all tastes. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, September 8, 10, 2018)

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