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English

Syrian-Lebanese economic cooperation away from cabinet’s approval

30-8-2017

Following the agriculture minister, Ghazi Zouaiter’s visit to Damascus and his talks with the Syrian premier, and the resulting activation of the work of joint agricultural technical committees (http://bit.ly/2vqYU96), the Lebanese minister of economy Raed Khoury conversed yesterday with his Syrian counterpart Mohamad Samer Khalil on ways of resolving shared socio-economic problems that exacerbated with the crisis in neighboring Syria. Both sides reportedly agreed to reactivate meetings of the Lebanese-Syrian Economic Follow-Up Committee disrupted since 2010. A meeting to this end was set for next September in Beirut to discuss a number of topics. These include: a rigorous deliberation of the challenges hampering the exchange of products between both states, particularly Lebanese exports to Syria; taking effective measures to end smuggling and illegal activities on borders; present common transit procedures that ensure safety of made-in-Lebanon goods passing through Syria to various Arab destinations, namely, Iraq, Jordan or GCC states. According to L’Orient Le Jour, the consultations between Lebanon and Syria come two weeks or less after the disputed visit to Syria of 3 ministers in the Lebanese Cabinet to attend Damascus International Fair 2017. Khoury clarified to the newspaper that cooperation between the two states does not require the Cabinet’s approval, as agreements already exist to the effect of finding a solution to the impasse of Lebanese exports. The minister of state for the displaced, Mouein Merhbi, on the other hand, told L’Orient Le Jour that he personally is with discontinuing all agreements with the neighboring country. )L’Orient Le Jour, August 30, 2017(
 
Previous related news: 
Crisis of agricultural exports to Syria eases amidst a slight regression in foreign trade deficit
 

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“She Scores” sport campaign for gender equality

30-8-2017

The minister of state for women affairs, Jean Ogassapian, launched yesterday an awareness raising campaign jointly with players of Al Riyadi Club women basketball team. #She_Scores#, which is the name of the campaign, aims to raise awareness on the pillars of the gender equality strategy developed by the ministry. To note, the campaign comes ahead of the team’s expected participation in the Eastern European Basketball Championship as the first Lebanese and Arab team and the first women's team to the tournament. On the occasion, Ogassapian said the campaign is one of a kind in the Middle East and constitutes a two pronged achievement. Firstly, it spotlights female athletes who through their avant-garde sports activities are challenging stereotypes in order to realize objectives leading to gender equality for women in Lebanon and the Arab world in general, Ogassapian said. Secondly, it stresses the players’ commitment to promoting the rights of their daughters, Ogassapian added, noting that his ministry has set 12 goals to that end with each player adopting one goal and presenting herself as an ambassador for the ministry. The campaign will reportedly focus on raising awareness about laws related to women that should be modified or changed. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, August 30, 2017)

Previous related news: 
Structure, vision of ministry for women’s affairs launched
 

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Saradar Bank invest in microfinance to low income families

29-8-2017

Saradar Bank announced its acquisition of 49% stake in Vitas SAL, a subsidiary of the US Vitas Group involved in the provision of microfinance solutions to limited income households and entrepreneurs, according to Byblos Bank weekly monitor. Since its inception in the country in 1999, Vitas SAL has dispensed more than 200,000 microloans at a value of USD 350 million, and currently has over 60 points of sale and 530 collection points through a network of branches in Lebanon. In addition, Vitas boasts a banking partnership model in association with local retail banks. The press release by Vitas pointed out that partnering with Vitas Group presents an opportunity for Saradar Bank to get a foothold into the promising microfinance market in Lebanon, which will also facilitate establishing relations with international finance institutions. Mario Saradar, chair and CEO of Saradar Bank said the transaction is expected to lead to increased and substantial synergies between the two sides benefiting from the Saradar network, its sister companies and subsidiaries, as well as, to a possibility of access to capital in order to fund Vitas future business needs. And collectively, this will allow Vitas to maximize its plans for growth. (L’Orient Le Jour, August 29, 2017)

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‘Be a Man’ campaign against women in Egypt

29-8-2017

Al Hayat newspaper drew attention yesterday to banners spotted in many neighborhoods and streets in Cairo related to so-called ‘estargel’ (best translated as ‘Be a Man’) campaign. It is not a soft drink sales promotion, or a call for return to “authenticity” and modesty, but rather a multi-variate crusade pressing men to prevent their daughters from wearing tight or ‘revealing’ outfits, Al Hayat wrote. In its analysis, the newspaper said the campaign has recently introduced new terms to the urban Egyptian dictionary imparting a depraved dimension that sexualize women and girls by associating them with sex and indecent or inappropriate behavior. Such vocabulary has upset many parties, thrilled others or just did not appeal to the majority of Egyptians. Al Hayat cited professor of political sociology, Dr. Huda Zakaria, who, in a televised interview, described the campaign as an “immoral scandal exposing to men their unmanliness”, criticizing those who stand behind it as being women-haters. “Why not have a campaign called for example: ‘man up and treat women politely’!” Zakaria said, pointing that the campaign clearly conveys provocative messages against women. It is an Islamic society, she said, but campaigners have encroached on how Islam views a woman by “simply reducing her to a sex doll that ought to be covered," Zakaria sarcastically said. They are rabble-rousers and a disgrace, and therefore should be held accountable by law, Zakaria warned. (Al Hayat, August 29, 2017)

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Bassil warns against the collective granting of citizenship to children of Lebanese women

29-8-2017

In coordination with involved departments and under the patronage of Minister Gebran Bassil, the foreign ministry organized a workshop last Friday to expound on the law restoring Lebanese citizenship to immigrants. Minister Bassil on the occasion criticized the norm allowing president of the republic before the end of his term to impart citizenship to some persons, wondering why this is not a weekly routine by the head of the state to give citizenship to a what he called a “deserving” person of Lebanese origin who does not hold one? He referred to many foreign businessmen of Lebanese origin, or Palestinians, Syrians and Iraqis who were brought up and lived for nearly 50 years on Lebanese territory. Bassil laid bare his objection to any collective move in this direction, a mass influx, asylum or naturalization, pressing for revoking the collective naturalization decree of the year 1994. He clearly said he is against the law allowing Lebanese mothers to pass nationality to their children and other family members in a collective manner. He pointed to dozens of Palestinians who wish to get the Lebanese citizenship, a thing “we totally disapprove,” he maintained, as it is contrary to the principle of rejecting permanent settlement and naturalization of Palestinians as stipulated in the Constitution. However, Bassil explained, should there be a Palestinian living for over a hundred years in Lebanon, is integrated in society but detached from the right of return of Palestinians and has contributed largely to the welfare of the Lebanese nation, the Lebanese State can then treat him as any citizen in any country in the world, as he put it. On giving Lebanese women the right to pass nationality to their children, Bassil said he was never critical of it, however, “we advise against any collective activity in this matter to avoid attempts of masked naturalization threatening the identity of Lebanon. (An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, August 26, 2017)

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Special center in Yarzeh to promote entrepreneurship

29-8-2017

A new co-working space was launched last week in the Yarzeh suburb of Beirut. The aim is to promote innovation and productivity through provision of a space for work and recreational activities that help startupers and entrepreneurs get productive while staying fit and healthy. To note, the idea of the brand new space came up by two ambitious young brothers, Hadi and Joseph Khoury, who are businesspeople themselves. By joining Koozpace, members can benefit from the different amenities and services including, access to a gym, pools and 15 furnished studios available for rent. Additional facilities include a free parking and an option for an outdoor swimming pool booked for corporate occasions or cultural, professional events and seminars. Koozpace targets mainly startups and small and medium enterprises, as well as young entrepreneurs and freelancers. )Al Akhbar, August 29, 2017(

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Egyptian homemade food startup to empower women

28-8-2017

In its Sunday’s edition, Al Mustaqbal brought to light an Egyptian homemade food venture, Mumm, through which customers can order meals prepared by housewives, mothers and independent professional chefs and delivered to their doorstep. For more on the one-year old startup, the newspaper spoke to its founder, Walid Abdel Rahman, who disclosed the first generation of Mumm partners or so-called Food Partners group. Mumm’s primary goal, he said, is to give women the option to sustain a livelihood for themselves from their homes. With the rising unemployment among women (reaching sometimes 25.5%), and the relative increase in the number of refugees to the North African state, Mumm and similar startups provide support and assistance to women by helping them build entrepreneurship without having to leave their homes, said Abdel Rahman. Besides, Mumm collaborates with Cairo-based Fard Foundation, to recruit or train displaced Syrians, Iraqis and Sudanese to become food partners, Abdel Rahman added. “Giving mothers the opportunity to support their families by doing what they are passionate about is one of the best areas of our work,” he boasted. To note, Mumm has won recognition by the World Economic Forum as one of the best 100 startups in the MENA region in the field, and last July, the company received a USD 200,000 worth of funding from a startup capital fund in the MENA region. (Al Mustaqbal, August 27, 2017)

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Morocco to develop a strategy to combat violence against women

28-8-2017

The Moroccan premier, Saadeddine Othmani, pledged on Thursday to develop a strategy for ending violence against women. His statement came in the wake of a popular uproar after a video went viral on social media. The video in question displayed a collective sex assault against a 26-year-old woman with mental disability in a bus in Casablanca, with a footage showing an impassive driver and passengers who did not physically intervene to stop the aggression. Othmani, member of the Justice and Development Party, (Islamist) uncovered that his government has started the process of thinking to develop preventive mechanisms. He made clear that the “goal is not to punish assailants but to develop preventive mechanisms to deal with violence against women to ensure that such actions are not repeated in the future”. He disclosed that the projected approach to be adopted by the Cabinet will be announced in a timely manner. Meanwhile, the minister of solidarity, women, family and social development, Bassima Hakkawi, who was criticized for her tardy reaction, denounced the outrageous attack and promised to speed up the endorsement of the draft law on elimination of violence against women. To note, the Moroccan law criminalizes sexual harassment against women at the workplace but not street harassment, according to the minister of state for human rights affairs, Mostafa Ramid. The official Morocco considers itself a tolerant Islamic state that does not impose the veil, but women are frequently subjected to insults, derogatory remarks, insults and sexual assaults in public places, Al Hayat wrote. Two thirds of Moroccan women have suffered violent attacks, it said. (Al Hayat, August 26, 2017)

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Emirati women in Abu Dhabi’s financial market

28-8-2017

In its edition of Saturday, Al Hayat daily highlighted the growing number of Emirati women investors in Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange which reached 219 thousand by the end of the first half of 2017. These women, the newspaper wrote, own close to 3 billion shares at a market value of 18.8 billion dirhams AED (USD 5.1 billion). Statistics released by the Market last Friday, revealed a hike in the total transactions of female UAE investors in the same period to AED 2.7 billion (buy and sell shares) at a growth rate of 19.4% compared to AED 2.26 billion in the first half of last year. On the subject, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Rashid Ballouchi explained that the Market’s administration over the past few years has sought to promote the status of women nationals, whether investors or employees. Experience, Ballouchi stated, has shown the high level of professionalism women display in the investment arena. The market’s strategy in terms of attracting investments, he said, is not limited to male investors, but places special significance on inspiring females to invest their savings in the market. A relatively big percentage of portfolios managed by UAE women have maximized gains in the past two years due to their high efficiency, Ballouchi maintained. He also noted an increase in the participation of Emirati women in economic and investment activity in general, in the framework of enhancement of their role in the overall development process. “Many women who run large companies and institutions have achieved remarkable success, hence, the high proficiency and competence they have demonstrated in investment in the financial markets is not a surprise,” Ballouchi concluded. (Al Hayat, August 26, 2017)

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A promising fig season in Arkoob

28-8-2017

With summer coming to an end, Arkoob residents are anticipating a good fig season, especially that the nature of earth soil in the area imparts a distinctive flavor to the fruit, Al Mustaqbal reported. The town of Kfarhamam, most famous for its fig production, boasts an annual harvest of 50 tons of multiple variety of dried and fresh figs. One farmer, Abu Ahmad, told Al Mustaqbal that demand on Arkoob and Kfarhamam figs is outstanding. But he lamented that young people have moved away from agriculture work which Is further distressed by the crisis of marketing production, and the relinquished official backing to promote their steadfastness through development of this cultivation. Former Kfarhamam mukhtar, Mohieddine Shahrur, stressed the need to support fig growers, especially that fig trees have a relatively short life span and demand special care. Abu Rabi’, for his part, told Al Mustaqbal reporter that every other day he heads to the field accompanied with his wife to pick the fresh fruits where he sells one kg for LBP 4-5,000. However, if he could not dispose of the gathered figs by noon, he tends to dry them to vend them later as dried fruits, with one pound standing at LBP 30 to 40 thousand. (Al Mustaqbal, August 27, 2017)

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