The candidate for the Maronite seat in Kesserwan-Jbeil district, Neemeh George Frem announced in a press conference on Saturday the launch of an inclusive strategy to bolster the apple growing sector thus giving it an added value to the national economy. The plan, to note, is in collaboration with George N. Frem Institution, INDEVCO, Liban Village and Lebanon Apple Association. Frem underlined the need to improve the quality of Lebanese apples and resolve the marketing and disposal stalemate, stressing the importance of Lebanon’s production of first class varieties. Candidate Frem pledged to carry this matter to the Legislative in the event of winning the elections and thus pressure for the ratification of draft bills that sanction the reduction of customs tariffs on exported items, facilitate trade agreements, support the sales of domestic apples, counter smuggling, as well as allow farmers to benefit from social security and from subsidized loan packages to the desired end. Frem highlighted the conditions for the development of the apples sector, in the forefront of which comes the enhancement of the quality of the fruit, increase of the first rate produce and the provision of outlets and means to dispose of the second and third rate apples in the local markets. As such, Lebanon can conclude trade agreements that promote made-in-Lebanon apples and expand their global outreach. (Al Mustaqbal, April 30, 2018)