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Three meat houses suspended for non-compliance with food safety regulations

26-7-2018

The minister of trade and economy in the caretaker government, Raed Khoury, issued three circulars on Tuesday suspending the work of three butcheries for non-compliance with food safety standards. The three butcheries are: Al ‘Ailat Meat House in Kfarshima, Al Halabi in Chiyah and Fairuz meat house in Bshamoun. The minister confirmed that this measure comes into force from the date of issuance of above decisions pending they meet the conditions and introduce the necessary improvements to this effect. (Al Mustaqbal, July 25, 2018)

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Local community-based initiatives to boost tourism and trade

24-7-2018

Amidst persistent official slackness, local and community initiatives struggle to activate and revive tourism and commerce in the Lebanese regions. To this end, UNIFIL organized a traditional bazar last week at the Sector East headquarters in Marjeyoun to facilitate shopping for UNIFIL units and promote local trade. Some 30 shops from neighboring towns showcased commercial items including, wear, electronic gadgets and accessories. Meanwhile, the head of Jouma Municipalities in Akkar, mayor of Rahba, Fadi Habr, inaugurated the Rahba Summer Festivals 2018 which he described as an occasion for fun and joy, hoping his town would up to the level of prominent touristic hubs in the country. Al Majdal municipality in Bint Jbeil area also opened its annual summer festivities, and similarly Dar Ba’shtar, whose mayor boasted its honoring of students who passed the official exams during the festivities which take place every year. On the other hand, Al Diyar daily wrote that with the approaching summer season, touristic establishments and event planning organizers race to launch their festivals under the patronage of the tourism minister aided with financial support from his ministry. Only in Tripoli, where the ministry has no presence at all, Al Diyar said, citing Tripoli circles who wonder about the reasons for this official boycott of their city’s festivities. (Al Diyar, July 16, 21, 2018)

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Figs cultivation in Arkoob needs a boost

24-7-2018

The fig season in the southern district of Arkoob, famed for its excellent quality in Lebanon and beyond, has started early this year, Al Mustaqbal reported. Despite the general disinterest in agriculture, the area still produces over 75 tons of fresh and dried figs every year, and is hopeful of official support to fig growers according to the newspaper. The life span of a fig tree is relatively short and demands special care, Abu Wassim Atiyyeh told the reporter, lamenting that all he has left are two fig trees sitting in his backyard for household consumption. On the other hand, Abu Ahmad Qaderi described this year’s harvest as better than last year, where one kg of fresh figs is currently sold at LBP 3000-4000 and the pound of dried figs (2.5 kgs) at LBP 30,000-40,000. He explained that figs are low maintenance fruits that do not need any chemical fertilizer and boast an organic nature. He grieved however that fig trees are no longer the same. Most trees that have now become old are not replaced by new ones, as the young generation is seeking a livelihood in the form of a steady job or abroad. (Al Mustaqbal, July 21, 2018)

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Regie to manage administration, export of cannabis

23-7-2018

Following his announcement last week that Lebanon will be reviewing the necessary studies to legalize the cultivation and production of cannabis for medicinal uses, house speaker Nabih Berri commissioned on Thursday a committee of experts to prepare a draft law to this effect. On the other hand, An Nahar newspaper wrote that a few week ago, Speaker of the House Berri disclosed to a delegation from the Regie Libanais des Tabacs et Tombacs that he will set up a public organization to manage the plantation, manufacturing and trade of cannabis similar to the Regie and asked if they can undertake the task, to which they promised to study the option. For his part, former minister Fadi Abboud voiced fears that the projected body will become a monopoly similar to the Regie, especially if the issuance of permits became political, recommending that the private sector does the job. On the subject, An Nahar reported that growing cannabis in Baalbek-Hermel is preserved to a few large scale farmers and influential parties, pointing to divided opinions among area residents on legalization of marijuana. A large scale farmer wanted on multiple charges welcomed the proposal should it steer clear of interferences, stressing the farmers’ readiness to cooperate with and relinquish a share of the profits to the State only if a general amnesty was released. Meanwhile, former mayor of Brital, Sheikh Ahmad Ismael, refused to promote the concept of legalization of the cannabis in the Bekaa, dubbing it as a means to further distort the repute of the area, and warning that the majority of the Bekaa’s youth will turn to marijuana. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, July 20, 23, 2018)

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Divergent domestic views towards protecting national agriculture and industry

20-7-2018

A delegation from the Syndicate of Importers of Foodstuff and Consumer Products voiced concern over the minister of trade, Raed Khoury’s decision last month to ban Turkish imports (c.f:https://bit.ly/2H2XqTC). Khoury clarified in response that his decision sought only to protect the domestic industrial sector, urging importers of foodstuff to concede that it strengthens national economy and reduces the trade deficit. The above decision, Khoury maintained, induced some countries to increase the size of their imports from Lebanon to avoid a fate similar to Turkey. On the other hand, the industry ministry announced in a statement this week that the food and agri food productions account for 20 percent of the total Lebanese industrial export for 2017. Meanwhile, IDAL chair, Nabil Itani, toured yesterday a number of vegetable and fruit packaging centers in the North to inspect compliance with adopted packaging specifications and the extent of development achieved as part of the Agricultural Exports Development program. He pointed out that the overall agricultural exports under said program have reached nearly 345 thousand tons in 2017, adding that olive oil exports hit record high numbers in the past few years. However, the highest sought target of the above program, Itani stated, is to support and develop packaging centers, noting that some 20 packaging centers have acquired ISO certifications to date. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 18, 20, 2018)

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Third edition of Lebanon’s Favorite Village

20-7-2018

In partnership with Fransabank, Suk el Tayyib, Live Love Beirut initiative and Dbayeh Waterfront, L’Orient Le Jour launched the third edition of Lebanon’s Favorite Village at Dbayeh Waterfront City. The 10 participating villages are: Ain Dara, Baaqline, Bkassin, Brummana, Anfeh, Jib Jnin, Jwaya, Kfur, Marjey3oon and Qartaba. During the event, the minister of state for planning affairs in the caretaker government, Michel Pharaon, sustained his conviction in rural tourism which he said boasts tremendous potential for growth. Pharaon stressed that each town or village has its own particular charm and distinctive features to attract tourism. Similarly, the head of marketing and corporate communication at Fransabank, Dania Kassar, said that due to official slackness towards the industry, private initiatives, including L’Orient Le Jour/ Fransabank initiative, seek to promote internal tourism, mainly cultural and eco-tourism. “But how far can we achieve in the absence of a real tourism policy and budget?” Kassar asked. To vote, kindly press the following link: https://www.lorientlejour.com/village. (An Nahar, July 20, 2018)

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Farmers' misfortunes: Blocked borders, unfair competition, unpaid compensations

19-7-2018

After Syria regained control over the Nassib land crossing on the Syrian Jordanian borders (c.f: https://bit.ly/2uOr6zu) the minister of agriculture in the caretaker government Ghazi Zeaiter revealed that negotiations are underway with concerned Syrian authorities to reopen the borders to Lebanon’s agricultural exports to Arab countries. Zeaiter was speaking during the opening on July 14 of a modern olive oil press in Hermel. Also during a press briefing on July 1, the minister said he plans to visit Damascus to discuss with Syrian officials the necessary arrangements in preparation for an imminent resumption of the export activity from Lebanon. Meanwhile, a number of farmers in Zahleh Caza dropped their tomato and cucumber produce on the streets of Furzul leaving them to rot after they failed to sell it due to fierce competition from similar goods smuggled from neighboring Syria causing a sharp decline in prices of their crops. Regarding compensation earmarked for olive farmers in Hasbaya and Marjeyoun, and after the finance minister’s confirmation last February to this effect, (c.f::https://bit.ly/2NX5Ct0), the Development and Liberation bloc MP, Anwar Khalil, disclosed this week that the heads of the parliament and cabinet have raised the matter with the concerned minister during the parliamentary session for the election of members of the Committee, to which the finance minister reiterated that the imbursement is final pending the executive orders of the prime minister. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, July 17, 18, 2018)

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Quality control: Lebanese nuts banned from entering Japan

19-7-2018

The Lebanese Industry ministry issued a statement yesterday in response to posts on social media alluding to a letter sent from Lebanon’s ambassador to Tokyo to the foreign ministry warning of the health risks of Lebanese nuts, namely roasted pistachios. According to the letter, the Japanese authorities have banned the import of said products based on tests which showed they were carcinogenic. The ministry of industry made clear that it is conducting periodic tests on random samples taken from the different roasters across the country, stating that since two years to date, the results were consistent with the required specifications, implying they were carcinogen free. Concerning the ban of entry of made in Lebanon nuts to Japan, the statement said it could be related to an old shipment, stressing that Lebanese agri food manufacturers, particularly roasteries, are committed to the highest European and American standards in the field. Similarly, the director general of the ministry of trade and economy said that after examining samples of the nuts sold in the market or in nut roasteries, the reason could be possibly related to the method of storage of the above mentioned shipment. For her part, Rifai Roastery described the letter of Lebanon’s ambassador as “inaccurate and lacking scientific evidence”. Concurrently, the minister of trade, Raed Khoury, ordered the suspension of Joseph al Amm Mill products for noncompliance with food safety requirements. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, July 17, 18. 2018)

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Lebanon towards legalizing cannabis cultivation

19-7-2018

The Speaker of the House Nabih Berri notified yesterday the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, that the Lebanese parliament is reviewing necessary studies to legalize the cultivation and production of cannabis for medicinal purposes similar to many European countries and some US states. An Nahar newspaper reported in this respect, that the global consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, commissioned by the Lebanese government to set out a vision to revive economic growth, has proposed legalizing and regulating the sale of marijuana for medicinal uses. On the subject, the British Guardian published a report yesterday entitled, ‘How Cannabis Can Transform Lebanon’ pointing to the no go Bekaa town of Brital and its environs where cannabis is planted, and which if economic experts continue with their plans, could be transformed to a billion dollar business profiting the national economy. The newspaper quoted Lebanese trade minister Raed Khoury who earlier said that the quality of cannabis Lebanon boasts is one of the best in the world. Marijuana has been grown in the Bekaa since the Ottoman era and it reached its peak during the civil war, the Guardian went on to say, noting that the war in Syria has contributed to a new boom for farmers, who confirm that trade has increased by 50% since 2012 where they exported it clandestinely through the borders. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Lebanon is considered the third largest exporter of cannabis in the world, pointing out that exporters yield an estimated USD 175-USD 200 million a year from their exports to the Arab Gulf, Europe, Africa and North America. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, July 19, 2018)

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Minister Guidanian: Rumors and bad news undermine tourism in Lebanon

16-7-2018

The tourism minister in the caretaker government, Avedis Guidanian, held a joint press conference on July 13 with the president of the Lebanese Federation for Tourism Industries, Pierre Achkar, president of the Restaurants Syndicate, Toni Rami, and Maritime Resort Owners Association, Jean Beiruti, to talk about the situation of tourism in the country. Guidanian reminded the audience that at the start of every summer season unwanted rumours and bad news pop up mainly through social media, which negatively impact the tourism sector, like news of the air and sea pollution and overpriced accommodation as compared to abroad. This is not true, Guidanian stated, citing the Forbes magazine which classified Lebanon on the list of the cheapest tourist destinations in the world. There are luxurious and posh hotels that offer quality accommodation and special features, while on the other hand, there are modest tourism institutions that offer budget prices. Similarly, Achkar considered that such rumours constitute a war on the existence of Lebanon and its touristic port, noting that tourists flock to the country from all parts of the world. He disclosed that around 150 travel and tourism agencies have signed up to participate in Visit Lebanon Forums 2017 and 2018 and toured the different Lebanese areas but did not allude to the undesirable news aired on TVs and media channels. And while Achkar reiterated Lebanon’s tourism prominence in the region as per its distinctive potentials in the industry, he pointed to a decline in tourism expenses, stressing the need to highlight the positive traits the country boasts. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, July 14, 2018)

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