Lebanon seeks USD 77 million in funding to create 27,000 jobs

Nearly one year after the initial launch by the government of feasibility studies involving three new industrial zones in Lebanon, (namely in Baalbak, Turbol and Jaliliyah- Deir Mkhallis), that are part of a joint initiative between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, and the industry ministry under the theme, ‘Relief of Syrian Refugees’, the industry minister Hussein Hajj Hassan disclosed that some USD 77 million are still needed to start implementation. Hajj Hassan  was speaking during a meeting with donors to finance the infrastructure of the three cities. And while UNIDO resident representative, Cristiano Bassini, said the development of industrial zones is a priority, along with the development of the food industries sector, and that the initiative also supports the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, and contributes to the rationalization of energy consumption and boosts the livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities affected by the Syrian displacement crisis, Hajj Hassan, for his part, asked, “can we first secure jobs for the Lebanese people before the Syrian refugees as mandated by the international community?” It should be noted, that the estimated cost of the above project is USD 83.5 million; Britain has donated a sum of 500 thousand euros for the studies, in addition to a USD 7 million in soft loan for construction works, which leaves some USD 77 million still needed to begin implementation.

And according to the studies, the 3 projects, are expected to provide around 1925 jobs during the construction phase, and 27,000 thousand after the investment, as per the following:  Baalbak industrial zone 530 jobs during the construction phase, and 4 thousand after the investment,  in Torbol, 845 jobs during construction and 19 thousand after the investment phase, and in Jaliliya-Deir Mkhallis, 550 jobs during construction and about 4 thousand jobs after the investment period. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, November 9, 2016)

 

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