Beqaa industrialists demand protection from free trade agreements

Because of the free trade agreements concluded with a number of Arab and foreign countries, industrialists of Beqaa are suffering from the dumping of cheap imported goods in the local market. This is creating a situation of unfair competition for Lebanese products both in the internal and external markets. The situation has arisen because of the huge difference in production cost which leaves the Lebanese industrial production in a weak position and unable to compete with foreign products that have the support of their governments at the level of labor cost, the supply of land and fuel, in addition to tax-free laws and regulations. In view of that, Beqaa industrialists have recently submitted a list of demands entitled: ‘protecting national production’, to the ministers of economy and industry during their recent visits to the area. The paper calls for equal treatment in view of the incentives enjoyed by the products of neighboring countries, most primarily the provision of cheap fuel supply for production. Beqaa industrialists criticized the Lebanese government for its restrictive implementation of various trade agreements on the Lebanese borders which further exacerbate the situation. For example, while some EU countries ban any import of dairy products, the Lebanese authorities give a free entry to all kinds of French, Danish and Cypriot cheeses and dairy products. The same applies for potatoes coming from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries and compared to restrictions enforced by these countries on Lebanese industrial and food products, like eggs and poultry which are banned from entering the Saudi Kingdom. Moreover, some North African countries such as Sudan, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia do not comply with the Arab Facilitation Agreement while enforcing additional customs on the entry of Lebanese goods. (As Safir, 14 August 2015)