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Food industry expo at LCU to raise awareness on healthy food

2-12-2016

The Food Technology project by senior students at the Lebanese Canadian University (LCU) nutrition and meal planning specialty was adapted into an annual fair where students can display the different stages of food processing. In application, students sought to invent new healthy meals conceived from ordinary food products in order to raise awareness among Lebanese consumers on methods of making and benefiting from healthy foods. The exhibition, organized under the supervision of head of the Syndicate of Nutritionists in Lebanon, Christelle Bashi Jad3un, was inaugurated yesterday at the Main Hall in LCU campus in the Keserwan town of Aintura. The expo was the result of research by students, in collaboration with numerous local food factories famed for producing assortments of dairies, cheeses, beans, chips, sausages, halawa, olives and oil, pastries, water, wine, coffee and arak. Students focused in their research on the ingredients of selected food materials and their conformity with the quality standards recognized in Lebanon. They also emphasized the natural and healthy constituents advised by nutrition specialists. (Al Diyar, December 2, 2016)
 

 

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Growing interest in Beirut food festivals and street markets

1-12-2016

In its edition of today, Al Hayat newspaper published an article on Lebanese craving for food and their extensive participation in cooking festivals, with a special focus on ‘Suk el Akl’  held every Thursday in Downtown Beirut. Such activity, the newspaper wrote, is a smart way of marketing rural goods, traditional mouneh and veggies, in cooperation with ‘Suk el Tayyeb’ and ‘No Garlic No Onion’ hospitality portal, as well as the Lebanese chef, Wael Ladkani, and Solidere company. The food market opens at 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm to attract food lovers, including families. The event represents an occasion for the Lebanese people to walk around the commercial district of Beirut and taste new mouthwatering dishes, said Dany, a father of three. Al Hayat drew attention to the large crowds flocking to the souk, along with the participating sous-chefs who find in the marketplace a perfect venue to meet with their clientele and give them a bite of their good food recipes. In between the two regular gourmet dates, the Lebanese have something to look forward to every week and celebrate their love for life, the newspaper wrote. Such yearning does not unfold in ordinary diners or eateries, especially in not pocket-friendly posh restaurants, Al Hayat said. Food street markets and food festivals have become a habit in Lebanon that motivates households to go out and have fun at an affordable price. (Al Hayat, December 1, 2016)
 

 

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50% of Lebanese graduates intent to emigrate for work

30-11-2016

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) warned in its report issued on Tuesday that the continuous marginalization of the Arab youth threatens to undermine development efforts in the region. The UN Arab Human Development report for 2016, ‘Youth and Prospects for Human Development in a Changing Reality’ has shown a brazen absence of genuine dialogue or partnership between the youth and the ruling authorities to the end of devising new policies that meet youth aspirations. According to the report which was launched at the American University of Beirut (AUB), the young generation (between 15 and 29 years) represents about 30% of the population of the Arab world. In the Lebanese section, UNDP Resident Representative, Philippe Lazzarini, pointed out that Lebanon embraces nearly 1.1 million young people (aged between 15-24 years) who are of Palestinian or Syrian origin, adding that economic and security instability has great impact on the youth in the country. Lazzarini drew attention to the rate of unemployment, 26% of which is among the group of young people, linking the current crisis to the unresolved Syrian refuge dilemma. The latest statistics, he said, have shown that one third of displaced Syrians (between 19 and 24 years) have returned to their homes after being exposed to forms of violence and due to jobs scarcity. For his part, the head of the research team contributing to the above report, Dr. Jad Shaaban, conveyed to An Nahar newspaper an alarming fact, which is that nearly 50% of college graduates opt to leave the country for work in the Arab Gulf, as first choice, or to Europe, as a second option. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, November 30, 2016)
 

 

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Copper crafts prominent in Suk el Khan and attract tourists

29-11-2016

In its edition of today, As Safir newspaper portrayed the historic comeback of the traditional copper trade which is flourishing in the southern markets. Copper goods, As Safir wrote, are highly demanded among Lebanese consumers as they are showcased during touristic festivals, and in antique shops and village banquets across Lebanon. Copper has also become an essential part of the local cookware and kitchen tool set, in addition to its acclaimed decorative function both indoors and outdoors, the newspaper added. In the popular Suk el Khan in Hasbaya and similar traditional markets, street stalls are festooned with copper pots and pans that often capture the attention of market goers, As Safir went on to say. For more insight, the newspaper talked to one merchant, Samer, who described the metal as the ‘chief in command of the marketplace’, mostly because of its affordable price. The main clientele of the bazaar are Lebanese or foreigners who work within the UNIFIL forces in the South, and who opt to take home with them copper gadgets as gifts to their families, Samer boasted. For his part, Omar who works in organizing local summer festivals in the borderline area, said that different assortments of copperware that were displayed during the festivities have grabbed the attention of passersby. Old copper utensils and crafts are being collected for restoration through the conventional ‘whitening’ technique by specialists, who are almost extinct, Omar lamented. (As Safir, November 29, 2016)
 

 

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Hajj Hassan calls for addressing imbalances in world trade

28-11-2016

The caretaker industry minister, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, briefed world states on the dire economic and political situation in Lebanon during his heading last week of Lebanon’s delegation to the forty-fourth session of the Industrial Development Board of the UN Industrial Development Organization in Vienna that coincided with UNIDO’s 50th anniversary. The minister reminded the international community of its failure to keep its commitments to alleviate Lebanon’s refugee crisis, demanding a rectification of the huge imbalances in global trade. Hajj Hassan said that developing countries, while struggling to expand the size and quality of their industries, face substantial difficulties in marketing and exporting their goods because of the protectionist policies adopted by large economic cartels. Meanwhile, Byblos Bank weekly monitor indicated a rise to USD 7.57 million in the trade balance at the end of the first half of 2016. This figure is attributed to an increase in the import bill by USD 612 million to USD 9.39 billion, and a corresponding fall in exports by USD 234 million to USD 1.82 billion, according to the monitor. Moreover, Lebanese exports to the EU have risen to USD 300 million only, compared to USD 200 million in 2000 (according to industry ministry statistics), whereas EU exports to Lebanon have jumped from USD 2 billion to USD 8.5 billion over the past 14 years. Besides, the closure of land crossings between Lebanon and Syria has greatly affected the flow of exports of made-in-Lebanon products to Arab countries. In a related analysis, L’Orient Le Jour newspaper drew attention in its November 21 edition, to the Arab Facilitation Agreement which, it said, is marred by shortfalls in implementation. In this respect, the chief of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, in an interview with L’Orient Le Jour, said the anguish of Lebanese Industrialists is mostly caused by an absence of official support, stressing that the solution would be in restoration of the tariffs that were suspended by above agreement or in backing local industrialists. (L’Orient Le Jour, Al Diyar, November 19, 21, 25, 2016)
 
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Construction in Lebanon the lowest in 7 years

28-11-2016

The licensed construction spaces in Lebanon have increased to 860,869 square meters during the month of October 2016, against nearly 803,353 square meters in September of the same year, Al Diyar daily said today. Citing figures released by the Order of Engineers, the newspaper added that on a cumulative basis, however, the licensed building areas have shrunken to 835,879.2 square meters (2.34% annually) during the first 10 months of 2016. This figure, Al Diyar added, is the lowest record since 7 years, as compared to 855,904.1 square meters during the same period of the past year. (Al Diyar, November 28, 2016)
 

 

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Vinegar project to help in marketing fruit production

28-11-2016

In a feature on November 22nd, L’Orient Le Jour daily highlighted a current initiative launched by USAID in 2015 to promote the manufacture of vinegar in Lebanon. The project, expected to be completed by 2017, presents one alternative to dispose of the swarmed local apple and grapes production, the newspaper said. With an overall budget of USD 30 thousand, this sub-project comes as part of the Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project and is aimed to help vinegar producers, particularly in the Beqaa region, achieve maximum proceeds. To this end, the US Agency has benefited from the expertise of vinegar specialists from the US, namely Lawrence Diggs, to introduce farmers to the latest technical know-how in the field, with special focus on the processing and storage areas. In the same vain, engineer Sa3eed Jad3un, deputy director general of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beqaa, indicated that there is some 40 thousand tons of unsold apples alone. This amount, he explained, is unlikely to be absorbed by vinegar manufacturers especially that imports of vinegar to Lebanon have gone up by 40% between 2012 and 2015, according to customs figures. (L’Orient Le Jour, November 22, 2016)
 

 

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Jihad al Binaa promotes saffron cultivation in the Beqaa

25-11-2016

In collaboration with the American University of Beirut, Jihad Al Binaa Development Association-Beqaa Directorate organized on Wednesday a workshop on the cultivation of saffron at the AUB Agricultural Center in Hosh al Nabi. Engineer Nicolas Haddad demonstrated ways of growing and nurturing saffron, enumerating the long list of benefits of the crop. Following the lecture, some 30 participants from the various agriculture schools, as well as, farmers form different Beqaa regions, headed to the fields to learn more about the cultivation and uses of the flower. The activity comes within the framework of Bayader al Kheir for Agricultural Development and Extension project. (Al Diyar, November 25, 2016)
 

 

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USAID program to support start-ups in Lebanon

24-11-2016

Insure Match Capital (IM Capital) launched last Friday the Confideo Venture Mentoring project at the Four Season Hotel in Beirut in the presence of the Director of USAID Office of Economic Development in Lebanon, Cybill Siglar and Berytech Chair, Maroon Shammas, General Manager of IM Capital, Nicolas Ruhana and other concerned figures. This program comes as part of the Middle East and North Africa Investment Initiative (MENA II) funded by USAID to help steer startups in Lebanon as they grow and support them to attract additional capital. The program is also co-funded by the World Bank through the Early Stage Innovation Financing initiative in Lebanon. The above program is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS) which has succeeded over the past 16 years in helping entrepreneurs build their skills and bring their innovations to the market, as well as developing their capacities. During the launch ceremony, Shammas underlined the importance of mentoring and guidance for entrepreneurs as it plays a pivotal role in introducing the required skills at an early stage of their business development. For her part, Siglar encouraged participating entrepreneurs to enroll in the said program which she said is a valuable resource for building success. (Al Mustaqbal, November 19, 2016)

 

 

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Agricultural school in West Beqaa to train agricultural technicians and create employment

24-11-2016

In cooperation with the Jeb Janin municipality and the Federation of Buhaira Municipalities, the caretaker agriculture minister Akram Shehayeb inaugurated an agricultural school in West Beqaa in the presence of health minister, Wael Abu Fa3ur, and concerned figures. Shehayeb disclosed on the occasion that the opening of the school has been suspended by a static decree, yet its launch will generate cohorts of agricultural, livestock and land management technicians and specialists. He made clear that this move will contribute to the enhancement, in size and quality, of production and to the creation of jobs in the area and other areas hosting similar schools. Abu Fa3ur on the other hand, underlined the importance of the school, in terms of graduation of cadres that boast the necessary know-how and expertise. The school, he said, also presents prospects for employment within the school’s faculty and staff, as well as, improves the quality of agriculture in the area. For his part, the President of the Federation of Buhaira Municipalities, Yahya Daher, stressed that the new school is expected to raise awareness amongst farmers in the agricultural sciences and enhance their productivity, after that the sector has been neglected by the government for many years. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, November 22, 2016)

 

 

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