Haj Hassan blames the political elite for the marginalisation of industry and agriculture

Industry Minister Hussein Haj Hassan criticized last Thursday the political elite in Lebanon which he said is responsible for the difficulties faced by the industrial sector accusing that elite of obstructing the significant contribution that agriculture and industry can bring into the national economic growth. Haj Hassan who was speaking during the annual ceremony of the Association for Lebanese Industrialists said: “During my term in this government and the two previous ones, we have never seriously addressed the economic situation, neither have we discussed any short, medium or long term concrete economic schemes.” Likewise, Fadi Gemayel, President of the Association noted that the industrial sector has proven its potentials despite the absence of public support programs or incentive policies. He reiterated his appeal for developing a socio-economic rehabilitation plan, in partnership with the various productive sectors, and based on comprehensive economic and social visions, as well as for the setting up of an emergency agency that will bring together the private sector and government. (An Nahar, As Safir, Al Diyar, January 16, 2016)