Subscribe to newsletter

Custom Search 1

You are here

Home

Other news

Minister Bassil’s culinary and wine diplomacy!

1-6-2018

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jibran Bassil, said at a press conference yesterday that the State has failed its citizens, its industry and agriculture, as well as the unique made-in-Lebanon products, noting that his ministry has administered examinations for some 20 economic attaches to market Lebanese wine in 20 different countries. Bassil also announced the details of the Lebanese Wine Day 2018 projected to take place in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Geneva from June 11 to 14, with the participation of 34 Lebanese producers. “We are happy to be present in Geneva and Zurich, but we aim big at the larger markets of Russia, China, India and the Koreas, and we can reach them for they boast immense prospects for selling the Lebanese wine,” Bassil maintained. Meanwhile, the foreign ministry held an Iftar banquet yesterday during which Bassil launched the Lebanon Gastrodiplomacy program attended by 250 guests, including politicians, diplomats and heads of industrial and trade chambers, with the participation of 22 eateries. The initiative, to note, is the joint outcome of the ministries of economy, industry, agriculture, culture and tourism in collaboration with the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA) and the owners of restaurants. It is part of the foreign ministry’s policy aimed to promote made-in-Lebanese goods and its authentic cuisine as an essential component of the country’s heritage and culture, said Rasha Hadad from the ministry. Work is underway, Haddad said, to form the National Commission for Lebanon Gastrodiplomacy which is expected to lay down food benchmarks in partnership with Lebanese chefs, Hadad added. (An Nahar, Al Akhbar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, June 1, 2018)

Share on

Garden Show & Spring Festival opens in Beirut Hippodrome

1-6-2018

Lebanon’s First Lady Nadia Chami Aoun inaugurated on Wednesday the 15th edition of the Garden Show & Spring Festival at Beirut Hippodrome under the theme, ‘Sounds in the garden’. Some 220 exhibitors showcased a large selection of plants, flowers, outdoor furniture and accessories and all kinds of gardening equipment. The 4-day event is expected to attract a crowd of 20,000 or more persons. According to Joumana Damous, managing director of Hospitality Services, the festival is important because it highlights green spaces and extends an opportunity for visitors to discover original ideas to enrich and decorate their balconies, terraces and gardens. Showgoers can also learn about many art installations and design displays, said Myriam Shouman, co-organizer of the event. To note, nearly 10% of the entrance fees proceeds will go to help charities chosen for this year, namely Les Restaurants du Coeur, Caritas, CCCL and Tamanna association. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, June 1, 2018)

Share on

Beekeeping training in Donniyeh

1-6-2018

In collaboration with the Italian AVSI foundation, the Federation of Municipalities of Donniyeh announced on Wednesday that it is organizing a beekeeping training workshop. With the completion of the course, beneficiaries will receive certificates endorsed by AVSI, the agriculture ministry and UNICEF. In addition, each beneficiary will get an opportunity to train for one month at a specific company or attend an entrepreneurship course at an agricultural institute in Abdeh or Batroon, as well as, a chance to start his/her own project. The workshop extends over 12 days at a scale of 4 hours per day, noting that participants should be between 15 to 25 years of age. To note also, the training covers the following topics: identification of bee species and breeds; economic and environmental benefits of bees; beekeeping products; structure and specifications of beehive; conditions for stationing beehives (milieu, pastures, trees); beekeeper’s suit and beekeeping supplies; prevention and public safety requisites; importance of regular inspection; beekeeper’s calendar; nutritional requirements for honey bees; bee diseases and treatment and finally, the honey extraction process. (Al Mustaqbal, May 31, 2018)

Share on

Maritime bridge program renewed to boost exports

31-5-2018

The president of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), Nabil Itani, announced a series of measures to address the challenges facing the productive sectors, namely, agriculture. These measures include the following: increase by 15% the value of financial incentives of agricultural exports through the AGRI Plus program; extend support to agri-food goods exported to Jordan similar to exports bound for GCC states pending the reopening of the Jordanian-Syrian borders, and finally renew work of the exports maritime bridge program. The outcome of the sea export program, to recall, has been disappointing in its first year and has been widely criticized, especially in terms of its high costs (https://bit.ly/2slXmti). On this, Itani replied by stating that the program has contributed to sustaining the place of made-in-Lebanon products in the Arab markets and acquire consumers’ trust in these products as well as the credibility of Lebanese producers with their trade partners in said countries. IDAL president explained that the Lebanese exports via the maritime bridge have reached 151 tons, with agricultural products representing 88%, agri-foods (8%) and industrial goods (4%). The exported shipments via marine vessels stood at 7,442 container trucks, including 6,677 subsidized trucks, during 136 trips made by the four cargo ships registered with the sea bridge program, Itani said. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 31, 2018)

Share on

Slaughterhouse in Tripoli shut down for violating health conditions

31-5-2018

North Lebanon governor, Judge Ramzi Nahra, ordered the shutdown of a slaughterhouse within the vicinity of the Federation of Municipalities of Fayhaa for violating minimum health and hygiene conditions. The abattoir was sealed with red wax based on a request annotated with the signature of the deputy prime minister and minister of public health in the caretaker government, Ghassan Hasbani. In his letter to Nahra, Hasbani maintained that after reviewing the contents of the report presented by the health department in the district of Tripoli, it was found that the slaughterhouse did not meet relevant requirements, and thus, “we ask you to take the necessary measures to close the abattoir until it complies with required conditions.” The minister was firm that the place will have to receive a prior permission from his ministry to reopen. (Al Mustaqbal, May 31, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon third among Arab countries in technology startup investments

29-5-2018

A report published by Arabnet earlier this month covering digital investments in the MENA region during 2013-2017 has shown that Lebanon succeeded in attracting some 58 investment transactions in startups in the field of technology with a total value of USD 53 million in 2017, as compared to 39 investments of USD 58 million in 2016. According to the report, Lebanon has gained the third largest number of investors in tech startups among Arab countries by the end of 2017, accounting for nearly 13% of the total number of investors in the region, preceded only by the UAE (32%) and Saudi Arabia (17%). The survey also revealed that the ratio of investors in Lebanon to the total number of investors in MENA has risen by 90% during the past four years jumping from 7% in 2013. In a related vein, men represented about 82% of tech startup founders between 2013 and 2017, against 18% of women, the report said, noting that the rate of female founders is among the three highest in the region despite the huge gender disparity at the local level. On the other hand, the chairperson of the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, Salim Zeenni, launched during a press conference 2 days ago the third edition of ‘Start-Up Lebanon Executive Innovation Retreat’ program in the presence of the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard. To recall, the initiative was first launched in 2015 with the aim to bolster the knowledge-based economy in Lebanon. Zeenni said this year will organize a 5-day visit (June 5-8) for more than 25 Lebanese firms executives to San Francisco. This trip will give them the chance to witness the future innovation methodology, design thinking and current trends in the field which will allow them to enhance the capacities of their companies and transform their businesses in Lebanon. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 26, 28 2018)

Share on

Ban of import of cloths, food from Turkey to support domestic industry

29-5-2018

The Lebanese Cabinet in its last session on May 21 has approved measures to protect the productive sectors based on a memo from the minister of economy Raed Khury, Al Diyar reported today. Khury identified in his letter the challenges and hitches facing the industrial sectors, including the imbalanced competition by goods imported from specific countries, notably Turkey. Thereafter, since Lebanon has no trade agreements with said country that ban taking any measures to restrict importation, the government decided to disallow the entry from Turkey of certain items, namely, biscuits and wafers, cleaning material and detergents and burghul. The Lebanese Customs were also requested to strictly monitor specific items in terms of evasion of customs duties, like for example, egg cartons, fluting papers, testliner paper and semi-chemical fluting paper, in addition to used clothing for environmental and health reasons. Commenting on the decision, the president of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, described it as a bold step, noting that the industry sector is a catalyst for all other sectors and generates jobs. On the other hand, the ministry of industry submitted yesterday to the general secretariat of the presidency of the council of ministers a proposal to establish an advisory group for national dialogue between the private and public sectors. The projected mission of the group targets mainly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to first: improve the business environment, second, increase productivity and exports and finally to upgrade the quality of goods and marketing through adopting the concept of specialization and integrated manufacturing inside Lebanon and within the Euro-Mediterranean region. The Cabinet is expected to issue a decree to this effect. To note also, a sub-steering committee will be set up to draw the policies for the private-public sector dialogue; follow up the requisites for the dialogue and make the necessary recommendations, and build relations to advance the exchange of information as well as, trade relations with industrial bodies in foreign states aimed to develop markets and facilitate joint production relations. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, May 28, 2018)

Share on

Agriculture in Lebanon has yet to receive the due public attention

28-5-2018

L’Orient Le Jour brought attention to the continuous neglect by the government of the agriculture sector which accounts for nearly 5% of the GDP and sustains some 200,000 households directly or indirectly, according to Research Center for Agricultural Studies figures. In this respect, the head of the Lebanese Farmers’ Association, Antoine Howayek, lamented the absence of adequate policies to regulate the sector, blasting the current government in particular. Howayek pointed to a decline in exports by over one third following the closure of the Nassib Crossing on the Lebanon-Syria border and the increased smuggling and illicit competition. Similarly, MP Wael Abu Fa3ur pressed for a plan to combat smuggling that has flourished recently on the legal border crossings, appealing to the Customs Department and the ministries of agriculture and economy to step up measures that protect Lebanese production. For his part, the president of the Syndicate of Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables in Lebanon, Naeem Khalil, said smuggling is mostly carried out via the Abboudieh crossing in the North, and while praising the work of the Lebanese Customs, he noted inadequate human resources within the apparatus to monitor and control the smuggling activity. On the other hand, prime minister, Saad Hariri, mandated the Higher Relief Council (HRC) to carry out the estimate survey of tobacco losses in the southern town of Rmeish, Bint Jbeil. This comes after the premier received calls from former minister, Mohamad Fneish and MPs Ali Bazzi and Hassan Fadlallah on the situation. To recall, a joint Kataeb-LF delegation last week visited HRC secretary general to brief him on the huge losses in the Rmeish tobacco season. (: https://bit.ly/2Jbd7go). (L’Orient Le Jour, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 24, 25, 28, 2018)


Previous related news:
Potato & tobacco growers appeal to government for help
Tobacco potato and wheat growers register heavy losses
 

Share on

SEZ of Tripoli will create 5000 jobs

24-5-2018

The head of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripoli, Raya Hassan, disclosed that the Knowledge and Innovation City (KIC) project endorsed by the Cabinet and launched at the Rashid Karameh International Fair will contribute to activating the economic cycle in Tripoli and the North. The initiative is expected to attract local and foreign investments and generate scores of jobs for the youth, especially for fresh graduates who boast creative ideas and wish to build their own startups, explained Hassan. The latter’s speech came during a workshop held by SEZ General Authority at the Serail which spotlighted the planned sectors within the KIC. These include for example, a center for consulting services, a complex housing public departments, companies or local and international institutions, a training venue and a startup accelerator center. Hassan made clear these sectors will benefit from the incentives and facilities offered by SEZ to the end of creating not less than 3,000 direct jobs inside KIC/SEZ, including professional, technical and administrative vacancies, in addition to indirect opportunities within the region of Tripoli and the North that could reach nearly 2,000 jobs, according to studies by international consulting firms. (Al Mustaqbal, May 24, 2018)

Share on

Potato & tobacco growers appeal to government for help

23-5-2018

Tobacco and potato farmers continue to suffer in Lebanon (c.f: https://bit.ly/2s0yuau). After the call made by MP, Tarek Mer3abi, to concerned authorities for an immediate halt to the entry of Syrian potatoes smuggled into the country, a number of potato growers in Akkar discussed yesterday in an emergency meeting at the Cooperative Association of Potato Farmers in Akkar threats caused by climate change and unlawful competition. The Association President, Omar Hayek, appealed to the president of the republic, the prime minister and the ministers of finance and agriculture to end the illicit entry of Syrian potatoes into the country which has adversely affected the agricultural seasons, warning of an imminent disaster that could hit potato growers as a result. Hayek threatened to take to the streets if the government did not enact deterrent measures needed to resolve the smuggling impasse. On the other hand, a joint Lebanese Forces and Kataeb (Phalange Party) delegation from Rmeish, Bint Jbeil, visited yesterday the secretary general of the Higher Relief Committee, Maj. Gen. Mohamad Kheir, to brief him on the large losses inflicted on the tobacco produce in the town and the diseases hitting the crop. Kheir in turn promised to start an estimate survey of the losses in Rmeish early next week. It is to be noted that the president of the Tobacco Farmers Union in the South, warned last week of a real disaster to the industry in a number of villages, particularly in Bint Jbeil, calling the government for action. (Al Diyar, May 23, 2018)

Share on

Pages


Subscribe to RSS - Other news