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Apple farmers describe relief compensations as ‘humiliating”

24-5-2017

The Higher Relief Council centres in a number of areas have witnessed chaos and uproar by dozens of apple growers who flocked to receive what they termed as random, meager and disappointing compensation delivered by HRC staff who were late for their appointments. In this respect, the premises of the Federation of Baalbaq Municipalities witnessed deafening rumble and stampede by reportedly 1100 farmers heading to the premises to get their cheques, to discover later that compensation payments did not exceed LBP 1000 instead of LBP 5000 per apple carton as promised. One farmer, Jaafar Jaafar, described what happened as a ‘humiliating act on part of the government’, while the Mukhtar of Ainata, Fuad Rahmeh, said it was ‘shameful to the Beqaa residents’. He appealed to the heads of the three branches of government by saying: “if you want to rip off the people, you have to spare them in order to guarantee something would be left to pilfer.” For his part, the president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, blasted the government, reiterating his demand to be handed over a copy of the Army surveys filed to the HRC. On this, informed sources told An Nahar newspaper that the finance ministry has pledged to transfer the second and final instalment of compensation, (LBP 20 billion), to the HRC on May 20th, and Howayek remained steadfast in his warning to the government. “The protest of farmers is subject to said transfer, otherwise, taking on the streets will become automatic,” he said. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, May 19 and 20, 2017)

 

Previous related news: 
Apple farmers protest shrinking compensation
Akkar apple growers receive part of compensation
Apple farmers extend a 10 day ultimatum to government
Apple growers to the streets again to claim their compensation entitlements
Local farmers still awaiting their entitlements
Reimbursement of apple growers and the plight of potato growers in Akkar
Back to square one concerning citrus and apple marketing
Agriculture of Lebanon further deteriorates in 2016

 

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Reviving Arsali traditional carpet making

22-5-2017

In a special feature today, Al Akhbar newspaper highlighted the traditional craft of carpet weaving in Arsal, the Beqaa, which has declined in the past two decades after a big boom in previous years. A reminder that this trade arrived to Arsal in the mid of the past century coming from its neighbor town Fakha (northern Beqaa), the newspaper wrote. But due to a number of factors, including scarcity of pastures and cattle herds for wool and total disregard on part of the government to support the craft, it gradually declined. In this respect, Al Akhbar shed light on the ‘craft and heritage’ initiative that was set up by 10 women from Arsal with the aim to revive the endangered traditional industry, and which, it added, has to some extent, succeeded in revamping carpet and rug weaving. One of the women involved in this initiative explained to Al Akhbar that weaving on looms using wool and cotton is an ancient craftsmanship that was started by “our fathers and grandfathers as a source of livelihood, and that we are seeking to restore.” Bringing up an old Lebanese saying ‘a skill with hurdles’, she creatively described the drawbacks and challenges facing carpet artisans. These include, difficulty in provision of wool and dyes, lack of official support and poor marketing, the woman told the newspaper’s reporter. Besides, reluctance to buy pricey and heavy carpets has driven ‘craft and heritage’ beneficiaries to focus on the weaving of carpets that are one meter to two and a half meter long at reasonable prices (USD 100 to USD 250). (Al Akhbar, May 22, 2017)

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Lebanese family observatory to monitor the ethics of media

22-5-2017

The so-called Lebanese Family Observatory was launched on Thursday during a ceremony held on the premises in Dbayeh with the participation of information minister Melhem Riachi, head of the Observatory, former Miss Universe, Georgina Rizk, and Tele Lumiere CEO, Jacques Kallassi. The latter, on the occasion, clarified that the opening of the station has come in response to Riachi’s appeal to salvage the community’s devastated moral structure. He said the observatory has been established as an eye opener regarding the hazards aired on TV and radio channels through “emotionally, mentally and culturally deranged programs that affect our youth and children.” The newly-set up body will act as a pressure tool embracing the public opinion and society, as well as, education, psychology and social experts, and warning of the monstrosity exhibited under the banner of media and communication. For his part, Minister Riachi underlined the strength of the observatory in “watching over rather than censoring, and in protecting freedom and human values rather than suppressing them,” as he put it. He made clear that being the party that encouraged the observatory, the minister is also required comply with its mandate. He called for monitoring all the state-run and private media institutions, and social media platforms, in addition to the moral monitoring of their right to criticism and censure. He emphasized the mission of the observatory to prevent the TV from becoming a relaxed “enemy inside our homes,”. (An Nahar, May 19, 2017)

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"Lebanese & Safe" for healthy agricultural products

19-5-2017

L’Orient Le Jour, in today's issue, shed light on a venture "Lebanese and Safe" (https://www.facebook.com/Lebaneseandsafe) that was launched on May 16 th. This venture consists of a market for selling fresh Lebanese agricultural products that are free of chemical residues, it is at the flower and seedlings market in front of Forum De Beirut, Armenia Street. The venture as stated by its founder Antoine Howayek - President of Lebanese Farmers Association - seeks to support the farmer, on the one hand, and on the other, "to provide agricultural produce that is irrigated with clean water which is free from chemical deposits or meets international standards certified and guaranteed by the international company TUV NORD". Howayek explained the conditions to be met by farmers who are willing to becomes part of the project: first, the water used should be clean whether it is used in washing the green produce -which must be drinking water -, or used in irrigation - which must be suitable for irrigation; second, the farmer should commit to a timetable for spraying of pesticides that is compatible with pest control safety criteria. He noted that the venture started out with 25 farmers while only 7 continued, the rest pulled out for different reasons. Howayek concluded that the objectives of the project do not stop at these limits, there are prospects of including the maximum number of farmers possible, he considered that, “this is the minimum we can offer consumers in absence of the government and its regulatory functions.” (L’Orient Le Jour, May 19, 2017)

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NDU, IRI cooperation on food safety

18-5-2017

The President of Notre Dame University (NDU), Walid Mussa, and the Director General of the state-run Industrial Research Institute (IRI), Bassam Frenn, signed last Monday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the university and the center that entails “cooperation and exchange of expertise especially in the fields of research, laboratory testing and food safety”. According to a statement issued by NDU, “The center and the university will work in partnership based on the specialty of food safety towards developing the agro-food sector in Lebanon as a positive factor in realizing a balanced regional growth”. During the signing ceremony, Business Advisor, Ramzi Bhamduni, explained the significance of the agreement which “will cover the creation of a Food Advisory Unit whose role is to provide advice, guidance and to implement food development projects for food companies and industrial groups in Lebanon”. Similarly, Frenn emphasized “the importance of building bridges between universities and the academic world on the one hand, and the labor market and the industrial, production and services sectors on the other.” (Al Mustaqbal, May 16, 2017)

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Religious cultural tourism to reposition Lebanon on world map

17-5-2017

The Religious Cultural Tourism unit at the Council of Ministers launched yesterday the first phase of the religious cultural tourism project at the Grand Serail under the headline, ‘celebrating our diversity’. Prime Minister Saad Hariri, on the occasion, underlined the importance of the project which he said “is more than economic- and better described as national and humanitarian, (Local) Lebanese and cross-continental,” that will reposition the country on the world religious tourism map. For his part, tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian, pointed to his ministry’s laborious efforts to promote tourism in the country in all its aspects, notably religious tourism “which belongs to all faiths,” as he put it. He mentioned the strategy set by the ministry to develop the infrastructure of religious sites and the rehabilitation of a number of tracks that include religious monuments from different regions and sects. He maintained that the initiative will grow to cover the various religious landmarks across Lebanon, uncovering collaboration with Italy to this effect, in light of extensive experience it boasts in the field. In the same vein, project coordinator, Rula Ajooz, disclosed a plan to build a list of 250 out of over 2000 heritage religious sites scattered all over the country. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 15, 2017)

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Loans and grants to small enterprises in Byblos

17-5-2017

In coordination with the Mayor Assembly of Byblos and Vitas, and under the motto, ‘together towards local develoment’, Fransabank Byblos and Michel Issa Foundation for Local Development (MIF) donated grants to low-income people with the aim to build their capacities and develop their small businesses. Head of MIF, Toni Issa, said targeted groups included mainly small and underprivileged crafters and professionals who are in need of funding to expand their industries or who lack the prospects of financing. Issa noted that the above program is not restricted to distribution of loans and grants, but also covers guidance and assistance in the preparation of feasibility templates and reports. He announced that the micro-loan program will become an annual activity due to its considerable contribution to rural development. For his part, Fransabank deputy general manager, Philippe Haj, revealed that the bank is currently repaying interests for some 30 loans totaling USD 4500. The bank, Hajj said, is also paying off USD 20 thousand in loans as donation to borrowers from Jbeil district whose requests for credits have been approved. Haj drew attention to Fransabank’s investments in mini projects during 2016, amounting to nearly USD 5.97 million, as compared to USD 5.37 million in 2015. In figures, 42.4% of beneficiaries are aged (18-35 years), 40% are women, and around 460 new jobs were created, according to Haj. )Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 16, 2017(

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Career fair in Antelias to link graduates and labor markets

17-5-2017

The Arab Open University (AOU) held yesterday its annual career fair at its Antelias campus, with the participation of over 50 recruitment institutions and economic establishments. On the occasion, AOU director, Dr. Fayruz Farah Sarkis, underlined the important purpose of similar activities organized by the university, particularly for building communication between graduate students and the local labor market. She praised the role of the fair in showcasing student aptitudes to employers and at the same time displaying to students job prospects at hand. Sarkis stressed the significance of partnership between higher education institutions and social and economic sectors. She commended AOU efforts in supporting its students to acquire capacities and skills that boost their performance at work through quality programs based on British accreditation and modern technical and vocational training, in corporation with the private and public sectors. Sarkis said that each year, more than 300 students get training at different institutions, and a large number of them receive job offers for their high-grade output during training period. (An Nahar, May 17, 2017)

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Economic-crisis stricken Lebanon lectures on development and reconstruction

16-5-2017

In the absence of any clear economic visions, officials continue to propagate shallow declarations. In this regard, prime minister, Saad Hariri, declared on Friday the so-termed ‘Lebanese-way’ approach to end the crisis in the region and face existing challenges through transforming a problem into an opportunity and disaster into hope. Hariri was speaking during his opening of the 2-day ‘financing reconstruction- in the aftermath of the Arab transformations’ forum organized by the Union of Arab Banks. He drew a roadmap for the post conflict phase, pointing that the size of needed actions in the Arab world prompts openness and cooperation between pan-Arab banking sectors and institutions from all countries. He called for more commitment and engagement in the global trend promoting the activation of partnership between public and private sectors, particularly in infrastructure development, the prime pillar for any economic growth. Similarly, PM Hariri announced on Thursday during the annual gala dinner of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, that the Cabinet will approve any draft or proposal submitted to it that protects the Lebanese industry. He mentioned that the stake is currently to promote productive sectors, especially those that boast high added value. “We are in need of sectors that generate jobs for the Lebanese youth, and here comes the role of the industrial sector, adding that Industry is the nerve of the economy and the engine for economic growth. For his part, the industry minister, Hussein Haj Hassan, reiterated his call for adoption of increased export/ reduced import policy through enforcing specific duty to ensure reasonable competition between imported and domestic production. Haj Hassan was speaking during his launch of the first industrial undertaking in Lebanon based on solar photovoltaic energy, that has been applied to Panda Plast plants in Neeha, the Beqaa. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar, May 13, 14, 15, 2017)

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Agricultural bodies demand the renewal of export support plan

16-5-2017

Agricultural organisations issued a joint appeal to the Cabinet demanding the return to the maritime agricultural and industrial export support plan which expired on March 31st. Earlier on March 15th, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), submitted a proposal for a one-year renewal of the sea bridge program through allocating a sum of LBP 21 billion (USD 14 million). The circumstances that prompted the initiation of said program, IDAL explained, remained unchanged as land border crossings are still closed. The appeal was made during a conference on Saturday attended by deputy head of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mounir Tini, head of Owners of Refrigerated Trucks, Omar Ali, head of Exporters of Vegetables and Fruits, Naim Khalil, head of the Association of Beqaa Farmers, Ibrahim Tarshishi and head of Truck Owners, Shafik Kasis. Tini grieved the government’s overall disregard of the agricultural sector. He pressed the need for the council of ministers’ approval to restore the support that has been suspended since last March, rather than bringing on an unwanted closure of roads by discontented farmers and producers. Ali, for his part, pointed out that as agricultural seasons are near, “we give the authorities a 10 day ultimatum to okay the subsidy plan, after which we shall take to the streets on Tuesday, May 23,” he warned. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, May 14 and 15, 2017)
 

Previous related news: 

Only 1% of Lebanese government budget allocated to agriculture
Extension of subsidies to maritime export until March 2017 following the decline of Lebanese exports
First year results of M.LEB below expectations
Criticisms of export program and industrialists calls for further measures

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