The Minister of Economy and Trade discusses with a delegation of the Syndicate of Food Industrialists four demands in support of the sector

The Minister if Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim, had a discussion yesterday with a delegation representing the food industry syndicate and presided by Munir Bsat.  The discussion covered the situation of the food industry and the challenges it is facing.  Bsat declared at the end of the meeting that the discussion focused on 4 key points:

1)      The collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Trade within the framework of the quality programme (QUALEB) which provides technical support to factories so that they acquire the ISO certification and which currently benefits 30 factories.  The delegation requested a larger outreach for this programme with the support of the EU so that it covers a larger chunk of the sector.

2)      Collaboration with the Ministry in the design of the Lebanon pavilion at the Milano 2015 food exhibition.

3)      Requesting the Ministry’s support towards participation in other exhibitions within and outside Lebanon.

4)      Protecting intellectual property and trademarks of Lebanese factories and modernizing the work of the directorate of intellectual property.

Bsat also noted that the meeting discussed the issue of consumers’ protection and relations with departments and directorates within the Ministry.  Both parties agreed to prepare a working paper addressing all issues of concern.

(Source: Addiyar 2 July 2014)