Subscribe to newsletter

Custom Search 1

You are here

Home

News

Error message

  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
  • Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in include() (line 51 of /var/www/weeportal-lb.org/new/sites/all/themes/crtda/node--ressource_center.tpl.php).
English

Infrastructure rehabilitation awaits Cedar & government formation

19-12-2018

The Lebanese authorities seek to implement a number of major construction projects under the Cedar donor conference (c.f: http://www.lkdg.org/node/17792), including some undertakings that were, until now, kept secret. Among these projects, An Nahar daily mentioned the Tripoli Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The latter’s president, Raya Hassan, announced during the Cedar conference the completion of the financial and economic feasibility study in preparation for launching the infrastructure development bid in early 2019, and the anticipated operation of the zone in 2020. Recalling, that the projected sectors inside SEZ include, a center for consulting services, a complex housing public sector departments, companies or local and international institutions, a training venue and a startup accelerator center. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Immigration held a session on December 4 chaired by MP Yassin Jaber during which it ratified two draft bills. The first is the proposal requesting the approval for the signing of a loan agreement between Lebanon and the Arab Fund for Social Economic Development. This secures the financing of a project to rehabilitate the main road north of the Arab Highway, in line with Lebanon’s ambition to become the gateway to Syria and from there to Iraq and the Arab world. The second is an agreement between Lebanon and the World Bank for the construction of the public transport system in the Greater Beirut area. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, December 12, 15, 2018)

Share on

USD 300 million of tobacco revenues in 2018

19-12-2018

The general director of the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs, Nassif Siqlawi, said he expected the net revenue of the national treasury from the tobacco sector during 2018 to reach around 440 billion L.B.P. despite the precarious situation in the country. Siqlawi was speaking during the annual dinner of international companies and heads of sales held in Beirut on December 12. He revealed that the Regie will soon sign an agreement with the British-American Tobacco BAT for the manufacture of its brands in the Regie’s factories, similar to agreements with other international companies. The Regie, Siqlawi explained, now manufactures around 19 international brands in addition to its 9 local brands. The state-run firm, he stated, has tried throughout a year of hardwork to overcome challenges and play against the odds of economic indicators, boasting that the Regie proved itself as one of the main resources of the State Treasury. The Regis also tried to play against the odds of global trends, Siqlawi mentioned, noting that the international decisions point to radical changes in the tobacco sector, and asked: “Do such decisions take into consideration the specificity of each country? Is Lebanon ready to lose the tax revenues generated by the sector?”. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 13, 2018)

Share on

Food health: Bad potato seeds, companies prosecuted for using Rhodamine B

19-12-2018

MP Wael Abu Faoor disclosed that some agricultural mafias and traders are trying to tarnish Lebanese potato by marketing bad seeds. Abu Faoor was speaking following a meeting on December 14 with a delegation of potato growers from Rashaya. One of the main fears raised by the farmers is the introduction in large amounts of (Class A) potato seeds that carry agricultural diseases and which could lead to a decline in production and deterioration of the soil, especially after exhausting the limited quantities of the good quality (Class E) potato seeds. In a related development, agriculture minister, Ghazi Zeiater, met on December 15 with a delegation of Bekaa potato farmers, which included representatives of the Syndicate of Potato Growers in Beqaa and the Cooperative Society of Potato Growers in Akkar. The meeting discussed the importation of crop seeds from Europe, particularly Class E, following a drop in its cultivation due to climate change. The delegation demanded special permission to import the sector’s needs from Class A seeds. On the other hand, the ministry of agriculture on December 17 referred 7 institutions to the public prosecution to take the necessary measures against dealers distributing the prohibited Rhodamine B found in foods, particularly in pickles. The violating firms are, Yahya Abbas firm in Daraya (Shuf), Siblani in Mraijeh (Baabda), Hadaik Ghadaq in Anjar (Zahleh), Conserves Chtaura in Makse (Zahleh), Riachi in Zalqa (Matn area), Ghosn in Khiyam (Marjey3oon) and Mantoujat al Dai’a in Kfar Aqqa (Koora). (Al Diyar, An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, December 16, 18, 19, 2018)

Share on

Treating women and children from burns and wounds

19-12-2018

In collaboration with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), MEPO International and Julphar launched yesterday their healthcare program, ‘Every woman, every child’ at the Movenpick Hotel, Beirut, in the presence of 100 Lebanese physicians and surgeons. On the occasion, MEPO deputy director pointed out that the Programme costed at USD 100,000 aims at assisting hospitals in Lebanon in the treatment of children and women suffering from burns or injuries as a result of wars natural accidents. He said the program has chosen a group of hospitals to serve as research centers to this effect, as well as to host lectures and courses for training nurses and educating people on the best ways to treat burns and wounds. (Al Diyar, December 19, 2018)

Share on

Women's and Children's Rights: woman thrown off a balcony, infant dumped in garbage!

18-12-2018

Al Mustaqbal newspaper of December 15 reminded its readers about the case of husband in the military who beat and demeaned his wife in June 2016. The latter was transferred to hospital after falling off the balcony. The court, the newspaper said, is probing for over a year now to determine if the husband has thrown his wife or the latter has done it voluntarily. Amidst conflicting statements of the spouses who divorced after the incident, the court reportedly summoned more witnesses. During the hearing session, while the defendant insisted that his ex has voluntarily thrown herself off the balcony, the wife neither denied nor confirmed the fact. Three witnesses said they did not see the wife jumping but heard the noise of something hitting the ground. However, one of them corrected his statement to say that he saw her jumping and holding to the handrail, while her brother said his sister called him begging for help. The court in conclusion conceded the defendant’s request to summon his ex to hear her statement again, and to the request of the defense to summon the physician who examined the wife in the hospital. The session was reportedly adjourned till next March. Meanwhile, Al Mustaqbal said today that the body of an infant was found dumped in a waste sorting factory in Saida. The security forces arrived at the scene and started investigation. (Al Mustaqbal, December 15, 18, 2018)

Share on

Joyce Azzam on Mount Vinson, Hanin Alam best violinist in Middle East

18-12-2018

The Lebanese climber Joyce Azzam has completed 6 out of 7 highest peaks in the world after reaching Mount Vinson (4,897 meters) in the Antarctic Continent. With this accomplishment, Azzam became the first Lebanese woman to stand on the highest point of the Antarctica and raise the flag of her country on its summit. She thanked those who were behind her dream, in the forefront of which is prime minister Saad Hariri who called to congratulate her on the achievement. Azzam stressed that her aim is not limited to mountain climbing but to inspiring young people to realize their dreams and overcome challenges facing them. On the other hand, Al Diyar reported yesterday that Lebanese violinist, Hanin Alam, has been honored as the best violinist in the Middle East for 2017, pointing out that she was chosen by an international film director to shoot a clip in Hollywood. Hanin studied music at the Lebanese University and took part in a number of concerts in America, Europe, Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus and many Arab countries. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 15, 17, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon drops to sixth rank in Arab E-commerce

18-12-2018

Lebanon ranked 64th among 151 countries, 16th among 39 middle to high income countries, and 6th among 19 Arab countries, according to the 2018 edition of the UNCTAD Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index. Last year to recall, Lebanon ranked 56th globally, 13th among middle to high income states and 4th regionally. UNCTAD has developed the indicator to measure the preparedness of countries to engage in e-commerce according to 7 indices which are: internet penetration rate, number of secure internet servers per one million people, frequency rate of electronic payments and the reliability of postal services. The index has shown that the internet penetration rate in Lebanon reached 83% in 2018, which is the 26th highest rate globally and 4th among Arab countries covered by the survey, noting that Lebanon came higher than the global rate which is 54%, the rate of middle to high income countries which is 60.9% and the regional rate of 56.3%. The index also revealed that there are 47 secure internet providers per one million people in Lebanon, compared to 55.7 servers per one million people worldwide, 58.3 servers for middle to high income countries and 42.3 servers per one million people regionally. The number of internet providers per one million residents in Lebanon is the 92nd highest worldwide, the 31st highest among middle to high income countries and the 10th among Arab countries. (Al Mustaqbal, December 18, 2018)

Share on

Lebanon imports USD 81 million worth of alcoholic beverages

18-12-2018

Lebanon’s imports of spirits and alcohol have reached 13,285 tons with an estimated value of USD 81.3 million in 2017, Al Akhbar said citing customs figures. The imported items included different brands of wine, liqueurs, vodka and whisky, the newspaper said, adding that the total volume of exports during the same year amounted to 3724 tons worth of USD 24 million. Germany ranked first among the exporting countries, with imports reaching 1825 tons at USD 2.97 million, followed by Italy (562 tons at USD 2.75 million) and Russia (507 tons at USD 1.3 million), Al Akhbar reported. (Al Akhbar, December 17, 2018)

Share on

Citrus farmers in Akkar demand compensation for climate hazards

17-12-2018

The storm which hit Lebanon last week has caused extensive damage in the citrus plantations in the North in particular, grieved Akkar farmers. Citrus growers said the fruits of a large number of clementine trees have been destroyed, asking the ministry of agriculture and the Higher Relief Council to send inspection teams to survey the damages and compensate accordingly. In this respect, the head of the Union of Municipalities of Akkar Plain, mayor of Tal Maayan, Mohamad Khaled Masri, appealed in a statement on Thursday to the HRC and the ministry to immediately assess damages. He also called on the heads of the three branches of government to support farmers, noting that this variety of clementine makes the bulk of the citrus cultivation in the area. The following day, farmers and traders in Akkar blocked for some time the main international highway facing the vegetable and fruit market in Abdeh area, demanding compensation for the harvest losses. During the protest, the mayor of Tal Hayat, Khaled Khaled, called on concerned officials to seriously work to this effect, especially that the losses are beyond the ability of farmers to recompense. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 14, 15, 2018)


Related news: 
After Baalbaq El Hermel, West Beqaa, farmers of the North demand compensation for climate damage
 

Share on

Lebanon imports USD 88 million worth of cocoa 

17-12-2018

Lebanon’s imports from cocoa products have reached 18,000 tons with estimated value at USD 88,331,000 in 2017, Al Akhbar reported on Saturday. The total volume of exports in the same year stood at 3648 tons worth USD 37,316,000, the newspaper said citing customs figures. Belgium and Peru are the leading suppliers of cocoa beans and cocoa beans, the newspaper added. The cocoa paste is mainly imported from Ghana (189 tons at USD 613,000), followed by the Netherlands (137 tons at USD 567,000) and Spain (118 tons at USD 414,000). (Al Akhbar, December 15, 2018)


Related news:
Lebanon’s imports of meat total USD 155 million
Lebanon imports of carpets stand at USD 30 million

Share on

Pages


Subscribe to RSS - News