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The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Lebanese labor ministry signed on Sunday a memorandum of understanding to kick off the Decent Work Country Program. Signed jointly with the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers and the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), the MoU is considered a crucial step in the history of the country to consolidate efforts aimed at implementing the above program. The latter, to be noted, is based on the main ILO achievements with its partners over the past few years and on the current momentum seeking to restore employment issues and labor rights on the State’s agenda of priorities. Ahead of the signing ceremony, the ILO Regional Director of Arab States, Ruba Jaradat, said the ILO has worked hard with its partners in Lebanon to develop the Decent Work Program and has, through combined efforts, enforced a closer partnership with the local government, workers and employers. “This extends a better opportunity to endorse the development agenda in Lebanon and help the country respond to the refugee crisis,” Jaradat maintained. She disclosed that, based on regular meetings and consultations with the three partners, an understanding has been reached to liaise in the preparation and implementation of the Decent Work Program, which covers the following priority areas: 1) Enhancing coherence of related policies with emphasis on the management of labor and labor inspection systems, 2) Improving decent work conditions for all workers in Lebanon, 3) Promoting productive job prospects with emphasis on youth employment, 4) improving social security benefits and securing the minimum social protection, 5) enhancing the governance and regulation of migrant workforce. (Al Hayat, April 5, 2017)

 

 

The 24th edition of the annual HORECA Expo and Forum, hosted by Hospitality Services, opened yesterday at BIEL, Beirut, under the sponsorship of tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian. The festival, under the banner ‘From Lebanon to the World’, highlights traditional Lebanese cuisine that has gained international repute, in addition to the latest Lebanese trends in hospitality and food services. The opening ceremony saw a tribute to owners and chefs of 12 renowned restaurants in the country who were named ‘Cedar Ambassadors’ for their initial role in establishing the authentic, distinctive and high quality Lebanese cuisine. The honored restaurants, are, Al Halabi (1973), Sultan Ibrahim (1961), Shater Hassan (1974), Al Ferdaws (1968), Al Ajami (1920), Burj al Hamam (1957), Fakhriddin Palace (1972), Casino Arabi (1936), Casino Mhanna (1888), Le Guinician (1973), Munir (1968) and Chez Sami. On the occasion, the head of Owners of Restaurants, Toni Rami, pointed out that the sector has repeatedly proved to be a strong pillar of the tourism and hospitality industry, and to national economy in general. Beirut has gained an international reputation as a capital of taste and tasting and as a top destination for food (2016-2017). For her part, HORECA general manager, Jumana Salameh, stated that the company always seeks to present innovative  concepts, and this year will be through celebrating local culinary arts and hospitality fancies, in addition to diverse programs involving multiple forums, panels, workshops, live exhibitions and competitions. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, April 5, 2017

 

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The Rene Mouwad Foundation (RMF) and BALADI program launched on Monday activities for the promotion of rural tourism and sustainable forest management in the Batlun-Chuf region. The initiative, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and which is part of ‘Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development and Investment’ (BALADI) program, was inaugurated during a ceremony at the municipality of Batloun. RMF executive director, Michel Mouawad, called for the creation of a pressure group to activate and empower the role of local authorities through instating decentralized administration. He stressed that only municipalities and community grassroots organizations understand and can identify the needs of their people, as they were elected by their communities and are accountable by them. Mouawad outlined the project for promotion of ecotourism and good sustainable forest management practices in the Batloun-Chouf area which is implemented by his foundation at a USD 175 thousand worth of funds from USAID. The project, Mouawad noted, is carried out in cooperation and partnership with the following entities, Batlun Municipality, Chuf Cedars Association, as well as the municipalities of Botmeh, Baruk, Maasir el Chouf, Khreibeh el Chuf, the Agricultural Cooperative Associations in Batlun and Maasir el Chuf, Kreibet el Chuf Club, and the Sportive Cultural Club of Batlun. It is expected to benefit some 3 thousand persons, create jobs and to increase incomes through integrated activities to the effect of reducing the cutting of trees for firewood, conversion of trimmed trees waste into heating molds and raising awareness about sustainable forest management in Batlun and the Chouf environs. (Al-Diyar 5 April 2017)

 

 

 

The BLC bank organized on Wednesday a conference on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lebanon. The purpose of the conference was to influence policy makers in the country, facilitate access of SMEs to markets, as well as build the model to support and expand the business of these companies. The conference also allowed participating startups and SMEs’ owners to communicate directly with prominent and established business people in order to benefit from their diverse experience and cooperate in the expansion and development of their enterprises through dissemination of methods for growing locally and expanding globally. The event witnessed the presence of BLC Chairperson, Nadim Kassar, General Manager of Kafalat, Khater Abu Habib and a group of startups and SMEs. Kassar on the occasion pointed out that the development of SMEs stimulates economic growth, hence, creating more jobs and additional sources of income for citizens and the State. Yola Sarjiddine, Kafalat executive director, noted that as Lebanon’s market for SMEs is relatively small, they should be buoyed up to go beyond the borders, and called for easing procedural obstacles to this effect. The conference also drew attention to the slowness in funding procedures, particularly for companies with big capital (USD 1-5 million). 

(L’Orient Le Jour, March 30, 2017)

 

 

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The latest venture by farmers’ market Souk el Tayyib, Tawleh Restaurant founder, Kamal Muzawek, was the first of its kind eatery for disadvantaged people in Lebanon, according to L’Orient Le Jour. The ‘Restaurant for the Poor’ project was inaugurated on March 16 by inviting some 60 families supported by Enfants de Lumiere and Bassma NGOs for a night of good food and great hospitality. The initiative is based on organizing a recreational day for needy families who cannot afford the luxury of eating out, as said Mozawek. The project seeks to send a message of empathy to those families, he said. The upcoming dinner, on April 20, will host 70 families and serve different meals to allow guests to savor new platters every time. Mozawek said he hoped other restaurants owners will follow suit. (L’Orient Le Jour, March 29, 2017)

 

Amazon http://www.amazon.com announced in a joint statement with Souq.com on March 28 that it has bought the Middle East’s biggest e-commerce platform. The world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon, did not disclose the size of the deal which, to recall, came one day after Dubai’s Emaar Malls made an USD 800 million bid to buy Souq.com. In a press conference, Souq founder and Syrian entrepreneur, Ronaldo Mashur, said the step is crucial in promoting the company’s presence in e-commerce. “By joining the Amazon family, we shall be able to enhance our delivery capacities, speed up our selection of customers and keep our track record in empowering vendors,” Mashur stated. For his part, Amazon senior vice president, Russ Grandinetti, said Souq.com has been serving customers in the Middle East, which creates yet a larger online shopping opportunity. “We look forward to learning from each other to provide the best possible experience for millions of customers,” Grandinetti said. To be noted, Souq is a Dubai-based Emirati company specializing in selling electronics, fashion and household items, with nearly 78% of its transactions in the region. The site also attracts more than 23 million visitors every month at a remarkable growth pace. (Al Hayat, Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, March 29, 2017)

 

During a joint press conference with the Syndicate of Owners of Food Industries, the head of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), Nabil Itani, announced on Tuesday the company’s new program in support of the food industry sector. Itani stressed that despite an overall slackness in industrial exports, food exports have posted record high rates, representing nearly 21% of the total exports during 2016. The new program, according to Itani, aims to, first, increase the size of food industry exports and enhance their competitive capacity through access to new markets, second, increase the size of exports to traditional markets, namely the Arab states, and third, consolidate trade relations in light of effective agreements signed with foreign countries. The program also seeks to introduce innovative features besides supporting exhibitions in the industry, such as provision of essential studies for potential markets and organizing workshops to this effect, building a network of trade relations with world importers and inspiring Lebanese producers to get international quality certifications. Itani finally disclosed a decision by the government in which it approved IDAL’s proposal to sponsor three global expos that see the participation of food industries this year, and they are, Gulf Food in Dubai, Fancy Food Show in New York in June and Anuga 2017 in Germany. (Al Hayat, Al Diyar, March 29 and 30, 2017)

 

During the period which preceded the election of the new president and the formation of the new cabinet, which witnessed very high political tensions and uncertainties, the data of the Retail Sales Index for the second half of 2016, recorded a persistent decline. The Index, to note, was published on March 15 by the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The 9 categories of consumer goods and services in the country, have fallen by 0.75% in 2016 compared to 2015, while the overall retail index remained at 10.23% below its 2012 base year level, which is 11.10%. The chair of the Lebanese Federation of Chambers, Mohamad Shukair, explained that the downfall reflects a slow economic growth, but said that notwithstanding the election of the president of the country and the resultant government, Lebanon has seen a continuous economic slowdown in the first 2 months of the present year, in fact, the harshest for years. This, he maintained, is indicative of a more profound problem that requires a comprehensive economic emergency plan. Shukair criticized the combination of tax hikes imposed by the Government on ordinary individuals and establishments and the extensive state spending, warning this will make things worse. For his part, LFA president, Charles Arbid, pointed out that the retail activity index designates a prolonged recession which has undermined the capacities of businesses to expand their investments and generate more jobs, noting that such indices denote a continual decline for the fourth consecutive year. It should be noted, that the Beirut Traders Association Fransabank Retail Index-First Quarter 2016, has shown a relative activity of the Lebanese markets during the optimistic period in the first quarter of the past year, but which quickly slowed down during consultations for elections of the President and the formation of the Cabinet, and remained modest after that period (c.f: http://bit.ly/2nEfbTa) . (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, Al Hayat, March 16, 2017)