The industry minister, Wael Abu Faour, discussed yesterday with the UN Permanent Resident in Lebanon, Philip Lazarini, ways to increase the value of procurement by international organizations operating in Lebanon of made-in-Lebanon products and give priority to local industrial and agricultural merchandise to this effect. Lazarini, during the meeting, clarified that the UN in Lebanon has set an objective to prop the Lebanese economy and production, pointing out that around half a billion dollars have been directly pumped in as part of the inclusive plan to respond to the crisis in the country. He revealed that nearly 55% of food products that have been purchased as per the plan, are made in Lebanon. UN agencies, he added, depends in most of its procurement transactions and services on Lebanese suppliers. For his part, Abu Faour explained that UN organizations operating in Lebanon spend huge sums to help in the repatriation of Syrian refugees, noting that part of the funds are conducted through Lebanese manufacturers, traders and agents, but that more regulation is needed. (Al Diyar, June 14, 2019)