Dr. Haj Hassan to ease obstacles facing industrial businesses

Under the patronage of the industry minister and in collaboration with the EU Mission and the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Ministry of Industry organized last Thursday a workshop on ‘institutionalizing dialogue between the private and public sectors for the development of industrial exports in the IT, technology and aromatic herbs industries’. The workshop comes as part of a larger partnership initiative between the European Union and 10 Southern Mediterranean countries to promote the business environment in the said region. Minister Hussein Haj Hassan pointed out that dialogue between the private and public sectors has always been there but not enthusing. He referred to internal hurdles preventing industrial growth and forcing the young generation to emigrate seeking a decent life and better working conditions. One of these hurdles he said is the lack of political conviction in the vitality of the productive sectors and their anticipated role in the expansion of domestic economy and the creation of jobs, in addition to reinstating social justice and boosting the resilience and steadfastness of inhabitants of rural areas. Dr. Haj Hassan maintained that “the industrial sector boasts international standards but needs further improvement to reach excellency”. For his part, the President of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, noted “an absence of a strategic state policy that supports local industry,” pointing at the same time to the presence of a remarkable industrial bustle  abroad which again proves the vigor of the sector.   (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 30, 2015)