Criticisms of export program and industrialists calls for further measures

Following the first report on the program of the “Marine Bridge for Lebanese Exports”prepared by IDAL, where it conceded the disappointing results in its first year (see new:http://bit.ly/2k282L1), the president of the Gathering of Farmers in Beqaa, Ibrahim Tarshishi, emphasized in a press interview that the ‘Marine Bridge Program’ failed drastically.  He added that this necessitates that the Council of Ministers introduces some modifications on its mechanism of operation. In the same context, Tarshishi pointed out that IDAL disbursed funds allocated for subsidies to owners of the ‘roro’ ship that handled the exportation, that is to one party only, describing what happened as monopoly, which resulted practically in the decrease in the quantities of agricultural production that was exported from approximately 500 thousand tons, to 350 thousand tons, and to a decline in prices exceeding 50%, since there were only one or two trips every 10 days, whereas there is a need for organizing one trip every one or two days. On the other hand, Tarshishi recommended that subsidies be provided directly to merchants and exporters, He also called for a more intensive shipment cycle, at much better prices, and for allowing exporters the right to select the ‘roro’ shipping agency.  

In the same vain, the president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Fadi Gemayel, met a delegation from Northern Metn industrialists, to discuss the present situation and ways to address challenges, adding that his association has prepared several working papers in order to absorb financial losses, resulting from the drop of exports, which since 2012 have reached USD 1 billion. (Al Mustaqbal & Al-Diyar, January 22 &25, 2017)