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$400 million WB loan to create jobs opportunities in Lebanon

29-6-2018

The World Bank Group announced in a statement yesterday that it has approved a new project, “ Creating economic opportunities in support of the Lebanon National Jobs’ which aims at enhancing economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth. The USD 400 million initiative seeks to strengthen the local economy and create jobs across Lebanon in areas that have been impacted by the influx of Syrian refugees and by a stagnant economic growth. The package is expected to create some 52,000 permanent jobs and up to 12,000 short term employment opportunities. It covers a USD 70 million grant from the Global Concessional Financial Facility and a USD 330 million soft loan. The loan carries an interest rate of 1.71% repayable over 22 years with a year grace period. The WB statement pointed out that the project is implemented under a set of targeted results that have been finalized in consultation with the government of Lebanon. It is anticipated to expand economic opportunities, specifically in disadvantaged areas all over the country, and will provide jobs for the Lebanese as well as temporary employment for displaced Syrians in line with relevant laws governing their presence on Lebanese territory. (Al Mustaqbal, June 29, 2018)

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25% of all trade in Lebanon to close but Hamwi steadfasts!

28-6-2018

Al Akhbar newspaper spotlighted the antique Hamwi perfumery shop set up in the old souk of Baalbaq since 1948 by Haj Ahmad Fallaha, nicknamed Hamwi, in reference to his hometown, Hama in Syria. Hamwi was determined before his death to hand over the trade to his two sons who honor this trade as a legacy of their father and of Baalbaq rather than a source of livelihood. The shop, Al Akhbar wrote, is packed with more than 2000 brands of herbs, spices, incense, oils, grains and few agricultural items brought from various parts of Syria, as most of them can hardly be found in Lebanon. One of the sons explained, that the conflict in Syria has negatively impacted the herb cultivation which caused an increase in prices, but stressed that things are bouncing back. On the other hand, the head of the Beirut Merchants Association, Nicolas Shammas, anticipated that nearly 20% to 25% of commercial establishments will close in the next two years, describing the trade sector as aggrieved, and revealing a slump in the activity of the commercial markets at a rate of 20% to 30% during the first half of the current year. Shammas was speaking last week during an emergency meeting called for by the different trade associations and syndicates in Lebanon to discuss the gravity of the situation on the eve of the formation of the new government. Shammas cautioned against the worsening economic situation in the country which he said is on the brink of collapse, attributing this to the recent ratification of the salaries scale and the electoral expenses. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, Al Mustaqbal, June 22, 27, 2018)

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Minister Haj Hassan: Industry and agriculture sectors are not OK!

28-6-2018

The minister of industry in the caretaker government, Hussein Haj Hassan, said yesterday the situation of industry and agriculture in Lebanon is not great, pressing for resolving the problem of cost of production and illicit competition of foreign goods, or for settling the issue of customs deterrents enforced by importing countries. He explained that most of such deterrents are not related to quality of production or rules or origin, and that all countries are encumbering our exports. Haj Hassan was speaking during his sponsorship of an award ceremony for the winners of Student StarPack packaging design context 2018 in collaboration with UNIDO and LibanPack. Likewise, LibanPack director, Suha Atallah, said the event coincides with the tenth anniversary for the inception of the Lebanese Packaging Center which has become well known at the national, Arab and international levels through its active contribution to the World Packaging Organization. Atallah also disclosed that she is working to increase the number of members from Arab states, announcing the launch of StarPack Professional which will allow industrialists to compete for the best packaging designs in markets. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, June 28, 2018)

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After Baalbaq El Hermel, West Beqaa, farmers of the North demand compensation for climate damage

26-6-2018

The negative effects of climate change continue to affect plantations. After the calamity which struck West Beqaa, An Nahar wrote that the apple, peach, pear, cherry, cucumber, citrus, beans and zucchini cultivation has been hit by diseases or by the sizzling temperatures during the month of May. As a result, the Union of Mukhtars of Donniyeh met last week to discuss the losses in the agricultural season in the area, including the damages in infrastructure, mainly roads and support walls, and to press the head of the Higher Relief Council and local MPs to step up compensation similar to other regions. To note, the mayors of Donniyeh have appealed earlier to concerned authorities for help (c.f: https://bit.ly/2yJo8Sh). As for the recent torrential rains in Baalbek and respective calls for assistance (c.f: https://bit.ly/2yJo8Sh), LF leader, Samir Geagea, asked the prime minister to instruct competent departments to dispense the required compensation among the aggrieved farmers and residents of Ras Baalbaq, Al Qaa, Hermel and other parts of North Beqaa. Meanwhile, a meeting was held with trade unions, and agricultural, political and social leadership in the municipality of Tal el Hayat, Akkar Plain area, in preparation for the upcoming National Agricultural Conference this September. The chief of the General Union of Agricultural Syndicates in Lebanon Youssef Mo7hyedeen pointed out that the conference will convene for the purpose of brining about real agricultural reform that can positively impact the livelihoods of a large segment of the population (30 percent). “We first need to identify the challenges facing the agriculture sector in order to be able to address them,” Mo7hyedeen said. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, June 20, 21, 26, 2018)

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Beirut merchants: Protecting industry is incompatible with free economy

26-6-2018

The ban of Turkish imports continues to steer both support and opposition, according to An Nahar newspaper. While the ministries of economy and industry backed the decision which aims to protect Lebanese industries, the Beirut Merchants Association and the head of the Syndicate of Importers of Foodstuff and Consumer Products refused it as it undermines the principle of free economy. Economic expert, Jassem Ajaqa, for his part, said Turkey could retaliate to the decision by disallowing the entry of made in Lebanon goods into its territory. Meanwhile, a report released in March 2018 by the Industrial Information Department at the industry ministry, indicated a growth of 5.4% in industrial exports compared to the same period of last year. The total value of imports of industrial equipment during the first three months of 2018 rose 36.9% compared to 2017. The food and tobacco exports ranked first, followed by ordinary metals and products, electric machinery and appliances and finally the chemical products, according to the report. On the hitches in the industry, the head of the Lebanese Forces LF Party, Samir Geagea, during a meeting with an LIA delegation last week, pressed for the ratification of the draft bills in support of the sector. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Akhbar, June 15, 19, 21, 2018)

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Climatic change: floods and drought hit agricultural seasons

19-6-2018

In the wake of the disastrous floods that hit Ras Baalbaq (c.f: https://bit.ly/2JOa4fg), Donniyeh mayors affected by the torrential rains, appealed to concerned authorities to send inspection teams to assess the losses and damages in property and cultivated lands. Meanwhile, rain scarcity in West Beqaa has hit many productive sectors this season, including apples, peaches, pears, apricots, quince, cherries and Mirabelle plums. Al Mustaqbal newspaper highlighted the plight of farmers who are increasingly faced with the decision to relinquish their agriculture work or remain steadfast and strong if the State was quick enough to compensate financially for the catastrophic losses inflicted on them. The newspaper revealed that hundreds of farmers are bracing for a symbolic sit-in this weekend between the villages of Saghbin and Khirbit Kanafar to draw attention to their anguish. Moreover, the swift fluctuations in weather conditions drove tobacco growers in many areas of the South to ask for swift compensation. This follows the visit by the Higher Relief Council (HRC) head weeks ago to Bint Jbeil and Tyre areas. Al Mustaqbal pointed out that the HRC is completing a report on the assessment survey of damages in the tobacco cultivation, in preparation for determining the size of losses and submit the report to the Cabinet to take the appropriate action. Al Mustaqbal also named three diseases that cause the drying of the tobacco leaves in the border villages. (Al Mustqbal, Al Diyar, June 19, 2018)

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Torrential rain in Ras Baalbaq claimed lives, destroyed farms amidst official neglect

18-6-2018

Flash floods invaded the town of Ras Baalbaq on June 13 where water levels reached 10 meters causing damage to cultivated lands and property and leaving several people dead. But despite the residents’ anticipations of the torrential rain at this time of the year, which was the strongest this year, many people accused the authorities of negligence which led to disastrous consequences. On the subject, deputy mayor of Ras Baalbaq, William Nasr, told Al Modon electronic newsportal that, following repeated alarms of climate change in the region, representatives of the Higher Relief Council and local MPs met at the municipality demanding the cleaning of riverbeds filled with rubble and dump, but their demands were not met. The owner of one shop in the town said the massive flooding came as a result of the desertification of the Jroud area, lamenting that the government failed to build a dam to prevent the natural calamity. House Speaker, Nabil Berri, for his part, contacted HRC head asking him to respond adequately and offer disaster assistance, and pressing for an emergency assessment of the damages to compensate those affected. Also, Baalbaq and Hermel MPs met yesterday to discuss the situation as requested by Hizbullah Municipal Work Directorate and Amal Movement Municipal Affairs. On the other hand, Al Diyar newspaper reported that wheat, grain and fruit growers, particularly peach farmers in the border town of Bkei’ah plains, Wadi Khaled, have not been spared the wrath of nature. Heavy rains crippled life in the town and inflicted heavy damages on the harvest season and on local farmers. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, June 15, 18, 2018)

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Beehives distribution to various agricultural coops throughout Lebanon

18-6-2018

A team from the Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) handed over on Wednesday a set of 743 beehives at a total value of 300,000 euros to agricultural cooperatives for beekeeping and honey extraction in the areas of Koora, North Matn, Higher Shuf, Jazzine, Marje3yoon and Nabatiyeh as part of the equipment to be provided to coops by end of September 2018. This comes after the delivery on June 4th of special machinery to agricultural cooperatives in West Beqaa, Baalbaq-Hermel and Amshit through ‘Distribution of Equipment and Tools to Agricultural Lebanese Coops’ project (c.f: https://goo.gl/Ndyftd). To note, ESFD is currently implementing the ‘Support of Active Cooperatives in the Sectors of Olives, Bees and Fish in All Areas of Lebanon’ program, in addition to some productive cooperatives. The said program includes assistance to 42 cooperatives with the aim to improve their production value chain through the provision of the necessary equipment at a value of 1.3 million euros, as well as, the development of their capacities in project preparation and proposal writing. (Al Hayat, June 14, 2018)

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Climatic changes exacerbate Lebanese farmers’ anguish

14-6-2018

The anguish of Lebanese farmers continue in the absence of official attention to agriculture. According to An Nahar newspaper today, nature and climate factors have inflicted heavy losses on farmers, which is not news, especially the recent torrential rains and flooding which damaged and wreaked havoc on many cultivated lands and greenhouses in the North and South. This drove farmers to raise their voices in protest to salvage whatever can be salvaged from the seasons, An Nahar wrote. In this respect, the chief of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, told the newspaper that the government’s neglect of agriculture is a ‘perfect crime’, adding, that failing to endorse the law to set up the National Social Security Fund for Natural Disasters intensifies further the suffering and exploitation of farmers. Meanwhile, the industry minister in the caretaker government, Hussein Haj Hassan, contacted yesterday the director general of Regi, Nassif Seqlawi, and the secretary general of the Higher Relief Council, General Mohamad Kheir, to brief them on the size of damage inflicted on tobacco farmers as a result of the heavy rain and hail storms which hit the Baalbek Hermel area last week. Similarly, Al Diyar newspaper today brought attention to the crisis ridden poultry sector in Akkar. It pointed out that the setbacks in the industry started in 2011 with the disruption in poultry exports through bordering Syria, and the successive snow storms which hit the area, in addition to the decline in prices due to the increase in imported eggs and chicken. (More info on the following link: : https://goo.gl/C6NFdT). (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, June 13, 14, 2018)

 

Previous related news:  
Beqaa farmers raise their demands for the new government
Agriculture in Lebanon has yet to receive the due public attention
Potato & tobacco growers appeal to government for help
 

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A tourist investment of USD 18 million in Ain Sa3adeh

13-6-2018

The chairperson of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), Nabil Itani, yesterday handed over the package deal contract to the huge tourism investment project Forest Resort S.A.L. The project houses a number of restaurants, a health and sports club and a swimming pool, in addition to a jogging and cycling trail in the forest. The USD 18 million undertaking is expected to generate around 219 new jobs. On the occasion, Itani pointed out that the tourism industry is a booming sector with swarming opportunities that need to be invested, namely in the conference, hospitalization and environmental tourism. The above project, Itali boasted, is an architectural imprint and a quantum leap in tourism in Lebanon and the region. It presents a model of fresh prospects offered by the sector, and aided by numerous unique benefits that contribute to the prosperity and success of similar undertakings, particularly in terms of the handiness of skilled labor, as well as, the favorable geographic and climate conditions. (Al Mustaqbal, June 13, 2018)

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