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The director general of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and the Beqaa, Youssef Geha , proposed the establishment of a fully equipped and autonomous ‘dry port’ that takes care of the involved customs, storage, recruitment, shipment and reshipment procedures. The suggested facility will be a prop to the other Lebanese ports, Geha said, naming the neighborhoods of Zahleh, Taanayel and Hawsh Zahleh as feasible potential locations. He also proposed setting up three free economic zones in Central Beqaa, Baalbaq, Hermel and West Beqaa respectively. On the subject, Al Diyar newspaper considered that these proposals reflect the developments the Bekaa region will witness in the wake of an end to the Syrian crisis, especially with talks underway of reconstruction of the war-devastated country, at an estimated cost of USD 400 billion. The rebuilding activity, the newspaper wrote, will be conceivable only through the Lebanese ports that, as they cannot accommodate the anticipated loads, will have to use the Beqaa region en route to Syria. On commending the Beqaa as a site for the ‘dry port’, Jiha said the area boasts distinctive natural resources, location and space. It constitutes 42% of the surface area of Lebanon, is just 17 minutes ride from Beirut (thru the Arab freeway), and is located in the middle of the road between Beirut and Damascus. Jihad maintained that connecting the Beqaa to Beirut is of high importance to the national economy, and advised linking it through a fast environment-friendly highway with a side rail track for transportation. In conclusion, Geha mentioned obstacles in funding as the infrastructure of a sophisticated railway is very costly, suggesting turning to the EU which can also benefit from the transport of its exports to the markets in the Arab region in a fast and cost-effective way. On the proposed economic zones, Geha recommended linking the zones through a modern road network, a railway and electric tram system, which, he said, will turn the Beqaa into a development and economic pivot that helps alleviate the capital’s belts of misery and boost youth steadfastness to their land, while creating new jobs and capable workforce. For more on the subject, visit the link below: http://bit.ly/2j3tniH. (Al Diyar, December 29, 2016)

 

In a wrap up of the conditions of agriculture in Lebanon during 2016, L’Orient Le Jour pointed out to a continuous decline in the sector since 2015, attributing the main causes of the slump to the export crisis. Made-in-Lebanon goods on the one hand, have faced competition from foreign goods swamping the GCC states as a result of the relatively expensive maritime program set by the Lebanese government to salvage the shipment of products to Arab markets, L’Orient Le Jour wrote. Another cause is the closure of the Syrian borders with Lebanon, in response to an earlier decision by former Lebanese agriculture minister banning the import of agricultural products from the neighboring country, the newspaper said. This situation has led to the dumping of the local markets with domestic products, and hence to the plummeting of prices. In this context, L’Orient Le Jour recalled various crises which hit the agriculture sector, mainly banana, apple and the fruit harvesting in Arsaal, as well as the difficulties of poultry sector, and the meagre compensations offered to affected farmers. To this effect, concerned agricultural circles stressed the need to come up with a drastic solution, such as channelling funds to serious agricultural organisations rather then paying meager compensation, and as suggested by Antoine Howayek, head of the Lebanese Farmers’ Association. (L’Orient Le Jour, December 30, 2016)

 

President Michel Aoun stressed the need to support industrial production as a way to boost the Lebanese currency, which, he maintained, cannot be sustained by increasing public debt. Aoun, who was speaking to a delegation of the Lebanese Industrialists’ Association led by Fadi Gemayel, expressed the all-out preparedness and cooperation between the industry ministry and the Association to implement the recovery plan set for the industry sector. For his part, Gemayel disclosed that the sector which embraces some 130 thousand workers, has succeeded in multiplying industrial exports in the period between 2000 and 2013 which reached as far as Europe and the US. Gemayel said troubles in the industrial sector started back in 2013 with the outbreak of the war in Syria which afflicted massive losses (nearly USD one billion on the industrial exports).  Gemayel outlined the comprehensive socio-economic vision presented by his Association to activate and revive all aspects involving the Lebanese economy. He called for setting up a socio-economic emergency response committee, expanding the concept of economic diplomacy via the Lebanese Diaspora and supporting the operating capital bound for exports. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, December 31, 2016)

 

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The leading British branded business valuation and strategy consultancy institution, Brand Finance, recently issued its report for the year 2016 on the most valuable brands around the world. Accordingly, the trademark of each country is calculated through a specific technical process adopted by the institution. In the case of Lebanon, the report has placed it the 12th position (the last) regionally, and in the 85th globally falling from 83 last year (among 100 countries) and posting a USD 19 billion in the overall value of its trademarks. Lebanon, the report indicated, recorded a fall by 14% (nearly USD 3 billion) from the year 2015, posting the second highest decline rate in the region, while maintaining the stable classification standard, A. Regionally, the Brand Finance report pointed to an (AA) for Saudi Arabia, putting the Kingdom in the first place regionally and 22 among world countries, with an estimated national trademark value of USD 482 billion. SA was followed by the United Arab Emirates (AAA), second regionally and 24 globally with estimated USD 478 trademark value. Egypt, according to the above report, came fifth (A+) regionally and 53 globally, with USD 98 billion in trademark value. Globally, the United States topped the list with an (AAA) value, followed by China and Germany that maintained last year’s marks. (Al Diyar, December 30, 2016) For more, please visit the following link: http://brandfinance.com/images/upload/nation_brands_2016_report.pdf

 

 

In a special story today, As Safir newspaper portrayed the fate of the last Fez maker in Lebanon who decided to close down his age-old business in Tripoli and look for another promising career. Mohammad Shaar, in his thirties, has been manufacturing fezzes for 12 years and moving between the copper compressor, fire, Fez molds, straw and fabric, needed to create the original Fez. Mohammad, As Safir wrote, is sad to give up on his arty profession, and despite his participation in ‘Tripoli in Hamra’ event, the “ache is so deep that it cannot be described in writing,” he said. “It is the wound caused by a civilization which turns its back on us. It is heritage impaired by modernity and joy that is suffering incessant attempts to kill it,” Mohammad grieved. On the falling back of this traditional trade, As Safir reported that the Fez market customers have been reduced to a few sheiks and enthusiast tourists. However, the Fez, the newspaper added, remains common in funeral rituals in some regions of Lebanon where it accompanies the deceased to his tomb. No one is to blame for the fast changing of circumstances and fickle people’s preferences, the newspaper went on to say, while criticizing those who “could not care less for heritage and culture but seek to reduce tourism in Lebanon into recreation in sophisticated resorts”. (As Safir, December 30, 2016)

 

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The Shuf Biosphere Reserve Committee disclosed after a review meeting held last week that some 97 thousand people visited the natural reserve in 2016 with an increase of 14 thousand persons from 2015. Furthermore, the Reserve has implemented projects worth some USD one million to support and improve the infrastructure of eco-tourism and rehabilitate ecological systems, besides undertakings related to rural development, tourism marketing, environmental awareness and protection of biodiversity. Nizar Hani, manager of the Reserve, pointed out that during the past three years, nearly 160 hectares of land have been planted or transformed, bringing to mind the first prize won by the Reserve in the competition organized by UNDP in coordination with ABC Energy, LLC, for the best ecological building in the country. Hani also mentioned various other schemes implemented in cooperation with a large number of foreign and domestic organisations. This, he said, in addition to participation of the Reserve in a number of local events and festivities, exhibitions and workshops. (Al Mustaqbal, December 29, 2016)

 

The so-called ‘Maakon Khabar’ movement organized yesterday an exhibition in front of the tourism ministry, Beirut, to promote the touristic landmarks of Tripoli, demanding enlisting the northern capital on Lebanon’s tourism map. The movement urged in a statement, the tourism minister to carry out the needed improvements namely restoration of Tripoli’s touristic facilities, notably, Khan al Askar and Rashid Karami International Exhibition Center; activation and promotion of touristic-bound products, like handicrafts (manufacture of fezzes and turbans, soap, copper, leather shoes, bamboo and straw chairs, maamoul (cookies) molds and traditional Arabic dresses; renovation and activation of the Tripoli Tourism Center; planning itineraries to Tripoli’s islands nature reserves in coordination between the ministry and tour operators through the consignment of tourist boats; organizing festivals under the sponsorship of the ministry; activation of internal travel through customized tours, with focus on familiarizing economic businesses and banks to the city and its landmarks, and finally speeding up the opening of the Tripoli Museum located inside its citadel. (Al Diyar, December 29, 2016)

 

The size of the food industry sector in Lebanon for 2013 amounted to nearly USD one billion and 100 million of the Gross Domestic Product which stood at USD 44.35 billion, thus representing 2.4% of GDP (based on World Bank figures), according to a study recently published by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL). The study entitled, ‘investment opportunities in the agro-food sector for the year 2016’, and reported in Al Akhbar newspaper of yesterday, aims at promoting investment in the food industries through the following: provision of the required database and statistics; casting IDAL anticipations of existing prospects, and offering investors incentive and tax exemption packages. According to the above study, the agro-food sector is a leading job generator within the industrial sector, securing over 20 thousand jobs (around 25% of the total industrial labor force). The sector also embraces the largest share (23%) of the industrial establishments (equivalent to 970 businesses), according to IDAL survey, which adds that nearly 34% are located in Mount Lebanon and 30% in the Beqaa area. In terms of exports, the study indicated a growth in food industrial exports from USD 422 million in 2012 to USD 548 million in 2015, representing nearly 18.6% of overall Lebanese exports during the same year. Food industry exports per category were distributed as such: fish and meat (25.8%, the largest ratio); breads and pastries (17.8%); dairy products and cheeses (11.5%); dried fruits and veggies (10.9%), while the main destination of made-in-Lebanon goods were the Arab countries. Finally, IDAL study noted 5 key areas for potential investment in the food sector that could achieve significant growth rates in the coming years, namelybolive oil, dairy products, dried fruits and nuts, canned foods and wine. (More on the study on the following link: http://al-akhbar.com/node/270162).  Al-Akhbar 28 December 2016)

 

The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and the North, Tufic Dabbusi, sponsored yesterday the distribution of cheques on a number of beneficiaries from the Danish-funded SME Support Project for Lebanese Residents and Syrian Refugees in Tripoli and Zghorta. The ceremony was held in the presence of the director general of the Chamber affiliated Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT), Fawaz Hamedi, and a group of concerned dignitaries. On the occasion, Dabbusi lauded the role of BIAT in its commitment, as a coordinator, to the implementation of the contents of the project, and hailed the constructive intervention of the Danish donors in providing support to small and medium enterprises. Dabbusi underlined the importance of strengthening ties between Lebanese and Syrian innovators. For his part, Hamedi revealed that BIAT has received a considerable number of applications that were carefully reviewed and selected in line with set benchmarks. He pointed out that the participating entrepreneurs have completed training sessions on how to prepare a feasibility study and employ practical applications that guarantee success. In conclusion, Hamedi announced that 15 projects were shortlisted after being properly evaluated. They also received financial grants up to USD 5 thousand and 10 thousand each, depending on the type and cost of the project. (Al Diyar, December 28, 2016)

 

The new minister of tourism, Ghazi Zuaiter, said that the touristic port of Junieh project promulgated some 10 years ago by the cabinet of ministers seeks to restore the country’s position on the global tourism map. Zuaiter was speaking on Tuesday during his laying of the foundation stone for what he described as a vital national initiative and dream port for all the Lebanese. The minister stressed the importance of the undertaking as a new window on the world. For his part, the president of the Federation of the Municipalities of Kesrwan-Ftuh and mayor of Junieh, Juan Hbeish, pointed out that the port of Junieh is intended to become a prominent location on the East Mediterranean Basin receiving thousands of passengers and tourists from inside and outside Lebanon. Similarly, the president of the Maronite Diaspora Institute, Neemat Efram, said the new port is expected to create nearly one thousand new jobs. (Al Diyar, December 21 and 22, 2016)