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BPW Lebanon honors two leading women

13-7-2018

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women, BPW Lebanon, organized its annual ceremony under the patronage of chief of the Council of Arab Businesswomen, Sheikha Hossa Saad al Abdallah Salem Al Sabah. The event saw the honoring of the director general of the ministry of economy and trade, Alia Abbas, and the director of the National News Agency, NNA, Laure Suleiman, who were handed the PWP Golden Card Award. On the occasion, Suleiman maintained that women are key partners in society, stressing that reinforcing their role to this end is the responsibility of all. She called on every Lebanese woman to have confidence in herself and her potentials and pursue education and knowledge in order to contribute to the advancement and development of her society. Abbas for her part, said: “Our meeting today with all the diverse experiences it embraces says again that women are capable of enriching their role, presence and aptitudes if they are given the opportunity...”. (Al Diyar, July 13, 2018)

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Home farming in Beqaa to avoid problems of contaminated water

12-7-2018

The high rate of contamination in irrigation water in Beqaa has driven many households to develop and expand their own veggies and fruits subsistence agriculture, Al Mustaqbal reported. The domestic gardening in the area is an ancient thing, the newspaper wrote, where Beqaa residents await the spring and summer seasons to prepare their fields close to their modest homestead. Real agricultural workshops are kicked off with the aim to produce the domestic need from vegetables. And these depend on clean sources for irrigation, normally from surplus drinking water collected and stored in tanks or extracted from artesian wells. The good quality of the produce comes from the use of natural fertilizers, primarily the compost, which is prepared by burying and fermenting residues of crops, vegetables and fruits or tree leaves to support the growth of plants. To note, fruit trees and all varieties of vegetables are among the most home cultivated crops in the area. As for the economic feasibility of home vegetable gardening, it is zero. Besides, the farmer sometimes bears material losses, Al Mustaqbal said citing local growers. For example, the price of one kg of cucumber sold at the vegetable store does not exceed LBP 1,000, while growing and producing the same amount at home requires a month and a half of tilling, planting, care and irrigation, which makes the cost of one kg tenfold the price of the same product found at stores. (Al Mustaqbal, July 12, 2018)

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Soap recycling at Hamud Hospital, Saida

12-7-2018

The Hamud University Hospital in Saida kicked off its first soap recycling initiative in Lebanon, the Econ Soap, at the city’s Soap Museum. The project which is part of ‘Your Health is in Your Hands’ campaign launched by Hamud Hospital to encourage students on proper hand washing, aims to recycle discarded bars of soap from some 29 hotels in Beirut. Part of the recycled soap will be used in the above campaign while the rest will be sold at low price only to cover the cost for those who cannot afford it, as said project coordinator, Layal Rinno. To recall, the project is implemented in cooperation with the Eco Soap Bank and other partners. On the method of recycling, Mario Ghrayib, director of the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Program at Arcenciel, said it starts with collecting the used soap slivers, drying them and then grating and sterilizing them. Later, a chosen fragrance is blended in the soap which is pressed in molds and left to dry. Later they are wrapped and packaged in recycled used paper. The leftover soap, Ghrayib maintained, is collected from hotels twice every month. He stressed the two main goals of the undertaking which are: reduction of waste and raising awareness among hotels and people on the importance of recycling. (Al Akhbar, July 12, 2018)

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BLOMINVEST: High unemployment in Lebanon prompted by Syrian refugees

11-7-2018

Nahar newspaper published on Monday a study prepared by BLOMINVEST on the impact of Syrian refugees on the Lebanese labor market which focused on the key features of the national labor market pre and post Syrian conflict. According to the study, the Lebanese economy and the region’s economies were booming before the crisis (between 2007 and 2010) where unemployment in Lebanon was at its lowest. However, the survey noticed, the situation changed after war erupted in Syria in 2011, where the rate of unemployment soared as a result of the spillover of displaced Syrians who began to compete on jobs available for Lebanese nationals in the market. Joblessness increased after 2011 to reach 20%. Citing the report, An Nahar pointed out that the active Syrian labor force in Lebanon stood roughly at 384,000 persons according to the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) 2017-2022. This figure has pushed some 270,000 Lebanese workers out of work, said Marwan Mikhail, head of research at BLOMInvest Bank. Regarding salaries, the study showed that the average monthly wage of an employed Syrian refugee was LBP 418,000 (USD 278), while that of a Lebanese worker stood at LBP 900,000 (USD 600), noting that the work permits for Syrians averaged USD 200, that is lower than fees enforced on workers from other nationalities. Mikhael maintained that these factors keep competition tough and unfair. In conclusion, the study urged the Lebanese government to attach importance to the principle of equal opportunity between Syrian and foreign workers in the country on the one hand, and the Lebanese workers on the other, at all times and across all economic sectors. (An Nahar, July 9, 2018)

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A promising wheat season in the Beqaa despite some skepticism

11-7-2018

The chief of Lebanese millers and wheat farmers in Beqaa, Najib Fares, described the current season in the Central and West Beqaa and Rashaya as promising, and called on wholesale merchants and large scale farmers to not shake the trust between farmers and the government. He warned of the presence of mafias who seek to soft sell a scheme that strikes a blow against the sector through requesting financial compensations for three years due to alleged damage that hit the harvest in 2015 with the intention to trade the cultivation with alternative crops. Fares maintained that the government continues to prop the wheat agriculture and to collect the supplies at profitable prices, noting the vitality of the sector to hundreds of Beqaa growers and to Lebanon’s demand for this basic crop. He reminded that the Beqaa produces annually about 45,000 tons of wheat grown over 80 thousand acres of land. Fares unveiled that one acre in the above regions produces between 500 and 600 kgs and yields acceptable profits. On the other hand, one wheat farmer, Ayman Sumaili lamented an unpredictable drop in hay prices, saying that one qantar (250 kgs) is currently sold at LBP 45,000 compared to LBP 75,000 last year, attributing this to a flow of imported hay and fodder from abroad, specifically from Turkey and Syria.  Meanwhile, Al Mustabal newspaper reported that crop growers have started preparing the wheat supplies for the government to collect, while the hay produce will be sold to cattle and sheep farmers in Lebanon due to the closure of ports of export to some Arab states and Jordan. (Mustaqbal, July 10, 2018)
 

Previous related news: 
Tobacco potato and wheat growers register heavy losses
Government’s actions in favour of apple wheat and barley farmers 
Local farmers still awaiting their entitlements
 

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Promoting the education of Syrian women refugees in Bar Elias

11-7-2018

In cooperation with Kayany Foundation led by Nura Jumblat, AUB and WFP, and under the patronage of education minister Marwan Hamadeh, L’Oreal Foundation for Social Responsibility launched yesterday the charity education program ‘Beauty For a Better Life’ which benefits underprivileged girls and young women refugees in Bar Elias. The program to note, targets young women denied of regular school education according to the Lebanese or Syrian national curriculums. It provides them with vocational training that facilitates their reintegration in society through acquisition of a profession which helps them provide for themselves and their families. On the occasion, the managing director of L’Oréal Levant Philippe Patsalides, said: “We inaugurated Beauty For a Better Life program to assure all young women that we are committed to give them motivation, self-esteem and the means to restore their professional role through training courses conducted by experts.” (Al Akhbar, July 11, 2018)

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Rehabilitation of married couples in Mabarrat Charity

11-7-2018

The Islamic Cultural Center at Al Imamayn Al Hasanayn Complex affiliated with Al Mabarrat Charity Association launched yesterday the Family Support Center aimed to rehabilitate the family. During the occasion, Sayyid Ali Fadlallah pointed out that change is not achieved through changing political posts or replacing those in senior positions, but instead comes from within the family itself through the proper education of the children which has positive impact on real life. Fadlallah urged spiritual sharia courts to consider the eligibility of a couple and their physical and mental health status to raise a stable family, stressing the need to stimulate, develop and activate Islamic jurisprudence to be able to provide appropriate remedies to many family problems. He clarified that the newly established center seeks to bring about change in the way of thinking and methods of behavior within a family, hoping this could be a positive factor in the advancement of a family. Fadlallah concluded by saying: “The dilemma of this society lies in the fact that we raise our kids like our parents raised us without taking into account the changes and developments that took place in this society.” (Al Akhbar, July 11, 2018)

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Commerce and Industry in Lebanon not performing well!

10-7-2018

In a special feature on factories in Lebanon, Al Akhbar said the waning Lebanese industry is currently facing multiple problems because of government slackness and failure to take immediate protective measures to remedy the situation. While it mentioned the closure of nearly 388 registered factories in the period between 2012 and 2016, namely the only steel manufacturing plant in Salaata which closed as a result of foreign competition and lack of official support, Al Akhbar predicted an imminent shutdown of some 23 factories across the country. On this, the newspaper spoke to LIA chief, Fadi Gemayel who maintained that export figures continue to drop, and appealed to concerned authorities to halt the decline through taking fast effective measures, like for example, subsidizing the costs of shipping, transport and electricity. Likewise, LIA vice president, George Nesrawi, revealed that the worst hit sectors are the food, clothing and leather and tanning industries. To note, that the Cabinet issued a decree on May 21, barring the importation of clothes and food items from Turkey, in order to protect Lebanese industries, but  was rejected by merchants, because of its incompatibility with free economy, resulting in the freezing of the decree (c.f: https://bit.ly/2ulRS1Q) . On the other hand, the BLOM Lebanon Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for June, has shown that the economy at the private sector level has declined in the second quarter of this year, posting 46.0 falling from 46.4 in May, which is considered the steepest contraction since October 2017. (Al Akhbar, July 10, 2018)

 
Previous related news:
Minister Haj Hassan: Industry and agriculture sectors are not OK!
25% of all trade in Lebanon to close but Hamwi steadfasts!
Beirut merchants: Protecting industry is incompatible with free economy
Ban of import of cloths, food from Turkey to support domestic industry
 

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Lebanese woman victim of sexual harassment sentenced to prison in Egypt

10-7-2018

After Egypt’s Public Prosecutor referred last May the Lebanese citizen Mona Mazbouh to criminal trial for insulting the Egyptian people by posting a video accusing them of sexual harassment and theft (c.f: https://bit.ly/2J8wkvl), the Egyptian Misdemeanour Court on Saturday sentenced Mazbouh to 8 years in prison after being found guilty for defaming the country and its citizens, undermining society and attacking religions. On the subject, Al Akhbar newspaper wrote yesterday that Mazbouh’s case lays bare the issue of sexual harassment in the North African state, whether victims were Egyptians or others. This phenomenon, the newspaper said, has transcended the street to the workplace, parks, transport and restaurants, to move in touristic resorts and air, land and sea ports and become part of the daily customs. Al Akhbar recalled a legislation enacted by the government back in 2014 which penalizes the person involved in sexual harassment with fines reaching 50,000 Egyptian pounds (USD 2750) and imprisonment from 6 months up to 5 years in an attempt to curtail the phenomenon. However, Al Akhbar went on to say, Egypt remains one of the worst countries in the world for women in terms of sexual harassment, concluding that, the case of Mazbouh reveals a sweeping culture that ‘blames the victims’, which is an attitude the Egyptian people have settled into. (Al Akhbar, July 9, 2018)

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ChocoDar in Saida in support of women’s livelihoods

10-7-2018

Dar al Inaya- Foyer de la Providence launched yesterday the Atelier ChocoDar as part of the AFKAR III ‘Active Citizenship through Couching and Training (PACCT) program managed by the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) and funded by the EU. The launch took place during a chocolate and sweets fair prepared by women beneficiaries in the program held at Dar al Inaya hall in Salhiya, Saida. On the occasion, Al Inaya director Father Talal Taalab Mukhalisi, said: “We have noticed that undertakings targeting and supporting women are relatively limited, hence we thought of this project,” to emphasize the role of women in Saida and environs who are capable of becoming key elements in the growth of their community. For her part, MP Bahiya Hariri pointed out that Dar al Inaya is very active in taking initiatives that contribute to building a society of development and peace, a society of solidarity and interdependence focused on enhancing youth skills in crafts and professions and ensuring a social safety net through countering unemployment and need. (Al Mustaqbal, July 10, 2018)

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