Exhibition in Saida to promote rural products and develop local communities in the South

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Saida and the South in cooperation with the Federation of Lebanese Chambers organized last Friday, ‘Mawin Baytak’ fair for traditional and artisan products under the patronage of the Minister of Economy Alan Hakim, represented by the Ministry’s director general, Alia Abbas. Over 100 associations and enterprises from various regions of Saida and the South participated in the fair and displayed their special rural food and craft products. On the occasion, the Chamber’s President, Mohammad Saleh indicated that the exhibition aims to preserve and highlight the heritage of southern villages and to “motivate Lebanese people to consume a wide selection of preservative-free foods and to familiarize them with local handicrafts and craftsmanship.” He also stressed that the initiative aims to develop local communities economically and culturally through supporting rural products and increasing local income. Saleh expressed the readiness of the Chamber to cooperate with all parties for the development of local southern communities and to contribute to supporting rural tourism, as well as to organize training courses geared at developing traditional industries and creating jobs in rural areas. Similarly, Abbas noted that the exhibition highlights the economic activities in the South and will support the steadfastness of villages. She called for unity at all national levels through better economic integration and increased domestic production. (As Safir, Al Diyar, December 12, 2015)