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IMF proposes to open labor market for Syrian refugees!

20-4-2017

The European Department director of the International Monetary Fund IMF, Jeffrey Franks, advised Lebanon to facilitate the access of displaced Syrians to its labor market, which, he claimed, stimulates the growth of the local economy. Franks was speaking to the Lebanese delegation to the conference of Parliamentarians organized jointly by the IMF and the World Bank. On the other hand, Franks while acknowledging the fiscal burdens caused by the refugee crisis, disclosed that the IMF does not have solutions at hand to resolve the impasse. Earlier, yesterday, WB head, Jim Yong Kim, indirectly interfered in the country’s internal affairs when he made clear that the international community cannot help Lebanon unless it takes the initiative, insinuating in this respect to the lingering political vacuum in the country. (news: : http://lkdg.org/ar/node/16291). For his part, the minister for the displaced, Mouin Mer’abi rejected the IMP proposal warning, that Lebanon “will not accept anything imposed on it, and that the decision is exclusively with the hands of the Lebanese government.” During the Brussels negotiations, Mer’abi maintained, Lebanon’s demands were clear enough in this regard, particularly in terms of effective laws which restrict the work of Syrians to the construction, agriculture and small industries, noting that the local government is committed to comply with said regulations. But, while reiterating Lebanon’s inability to secure local labor for above sectors, Mer’abi acclaimed the crucial role of the Syrian workforce in the country’s post-war reconstruction. And in a strong indication of Lebanon’s popular and official rejection to IMF plans, a number of mayors and ”makhateer” in different Lebanese regions, have since the start of this year complained of fierce competition to Lebanese stores by Syrian-run shops. In this respect, the governor of the North, Ramsey Nahra, issued a directive last month ordering five shops in Tripoli and Baddawi be closed and sealed for being illegally run by Syrians. Similar decisions were taken by the municipalities of Naameh, Zgharta, Zahleh and Batrun.(Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le Jour, April 4 and 20, 2017)

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Blurred economic vision and wishful promises

19-4-2017

Despite the presidential promises to focus on reforms and on the development of a comprehensive economic strategy, we have yet to apprehend a clear and concrete vision to this effect. In this respect, President Michel Aoun reiterated yesterday the obligation of the government to create appropriate jobs for students graduating from the country’s universities. Aoun was speaking to a group of children from different humanitarian and social institutions who were invited to the Presidential Palace on the occasion of Easter. Aoun made special emphasis on the development of remote rural areas in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the chair of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripoli, former minister Raya Hassan, voiced her optimism on the progress of the first phase of landfills works which are expected to be completed by the month of May. Hassan revealed that contacts are being made with Lebanese, Arab, Syrian and foreign investors to partake in the infrastructure and investment parts, with regard to the projected role of the northern capital in the reconstruction of neighboring Syria. Hassan pointed out to feasibility studies being prepared in cooperation with the World Bank and which noted potential sectors that can be involved in the plan, namely contracting, construction or gas and oil extraction companies, hoping that SEZ will be launched by the year 2020. (Al-Diyar 13-19 April 2017)

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Growing demand in Beirut for home-cooking delivery services

19-4-2017

In its edition on Monday, Al Hayat newspaper shed light on youth living independently of their parents and how they provide for their everyday meals. The newspaper spoke to a number of young people, like Nael for example, a university student who works at a bookstore and does not have the luxury or time to prepare his own food. Nael said that he depends mostly on fast food especially that the cost compared to house meals is insignificant contrary to what many people think, in terms of saving effort and time spent in cooking at home. Al Hayat pointed out that the restaurant business in the capital cannot boom if not supplemented by the service of delivery to houses or offices. Owners of bistros and restaurants, the newspaper wrote, have long realized the need to introduce food delivery services in order to cope with the fast paced lifestyle and the growing number of single people. This has prompted the development of services that meet the needs of clientele and consumers. Al Hayat also highlighted the emergence of eateries that cater traditional cuisine menus similar to meals prepared at home. The regular cost of one said meal starts from LBP 10 thousand (USD 6.5) to reach about LBP 30 thousand (USD 20), according to the newspaper. Moreover, some corporate employees rely on meals prepared by women at home and delivered in special boxes to their workplace. Such an option, Al Hayat explained, provides a genuine homemade snack that is often cheaper than eating out. In conclusion, Al Hayat wrote that preparation of meals secure an additional income for women who have no other source of livelihood, particularly that cooking at home does not require extra ingredients or skills. (Al Hayat, April 17, 2017)

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President Aoun pledges to protect rights of Ethiopian workers

19-4-2017

President Michel Aoun pledged to safeguard the rights of migrant workers from the Ethiopian nationality according to prevailing laws and has to this end instructed parties concerned to settle the status of illegal Ethiopian nationals who wish to stay or leave the country. Aoun’s statement came in response to a letter he received from the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, delivered to him through the Special Envoy of the Ethiopian Presidency, Mahmud Direr Ghadi, on conditions of Ethiopian nationals working in Lebanon without legal papers. In a related development, a delegation of representatives of the Ethiopian foreign and labor ministries led by Direr has visited the labor ministry and met with heads of involved departments in the presence of the Ethipian Ambassador to Lebanon. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regulate the work of the Ethiopian labor force in the country, and disclosed that a special delegation from the African state will visit Lebanon soon to step up the signing of a memorandum of understanding on restricting illegal emigration. (Al Diyar, April 19, 2017)

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Lebanese call from Cairo for import-substitution

18-4-2017

The president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) Fadi Gemayel called for increased productivity in all promising economic sectors and the reduction of import rate to the benefit of local production. Gemayel was speaking during the 44th Arab Labor Organization Conference held in Cairo between April 14 and 16. He emphasized the need to create jobs for Arab youth, noting that administrative reform policies and good governance tend to limit opportunities of employment in the public sector. This, Gemayel added, prompts the private sector to take the lead in bridging the gap and curbing unemployment. Gemayel pressed the need for boosting investments, especially those that facilitate the recruitment of young people and strengthen integration rather than rivalry in a bid to attract a diverse pool of investments in various countries which in turn eases the flow of products in a pan-Arab market of more than 350 million consumers. Gemayel urged businesspeople to activate the role of so-called Specialized Business Association in consolidating cooperation between members as well as intensifying meetings that establish joint investments in new markets, notably African markets. For his part, the chair of the Association of Arab Economic and Social Council, Roger Nasnas, said that the issues related to the role of entrepreneurship, vocational training and women's work all necessitate in-depth research into the notion of productivity. The latter, Nasnas stressed, withdraws in the absence of security and stability as well as with reduced demand. He maintained that social policy is fundamental to support living standards of low-income groups through the provision of health coverage, public education and addressing unemployment, stressing that growth declines with shrinking incomes and greater income inequality. (Al Diyar, April 13 and 14, 2017)

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Debating forced child marriages: women’s right versus social considerations

18-4-2017

AL Hayat daily published a special feature on Thursday related to early marriage in Lebanon. The article highlighted a controversy which has sparked lately on the subject with Hizbullah’s public endorsement of early marriage and a counter campaign by Lebanese Forces which read ‘don’t pick it before it is ripe’. Besides, Al Hayat mentioned the draft law presented by MP Elie Kayrouz for the protection of children against early marriage and which set the age for marriage at 18 years in addition to related objections by feminist activists to Hizbullah’s call and its flagrant confiscation of the right of the woman to choose when to marry. Al Hayat wrote that recent demands for early marriage did not follow a slump or decline in the rate of early marriages. On the contrary, citing a report published in 1997 by Central Statistics Department on the living conditions of Lebanese households, Al Hayat has noted that the phenomenon has never retreated and is still largely common in specific rural areas. The report has shown that the marriage rate among women (aged between 15-19 years) reached 7.8% compared to 2.6% in the capital, Beirut, while pointing that describing the 7.8% rate as outspread is overstated. The newspaper went on in its analysis to say that the calls for early marriage coincide with multiple developments, according to a 2013 survey by the Immigration Policy Center. These include: delayed first marriages, expansion of celibacy among women, fighting illiteracy trends among young women aged 15 – 24 years (1.99% in 2007 according to Central Statistics figures), women representing nearly 55% of overall university students (Central Statistics, 2012), low fertility rates and ‘feminization of migration’ (close to 46% of total Lebanese emigrants). Al Hayat concluded by saying that chances are weak for the above proposed bill, suggesting a more feasible legislation requiring those who wish to marry, especially women under 18 years, to attend awareness sessions on birth control and reproductive health. (Al Hayat, April 13, 2017)

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Closing of Mada livelihood project targeting Akkar small-scale farmers

18-4-2017

The minister of agriculture, Ghazi Z3ayter, represented by the head of the Harar Agricultural Center, Taha Mustafa, sponsored last Thursday a closing ceremony for the project known as “Improved Livelihoods for Small-Scale Farmers in Akkar”. The initiative, funded by the EU and implemented by Mada Association, was closed with a round table on the challenges facing farmers in North Lebanon. On the occasion, Mustafa stressed that the agriculture sector which largely contributes to the living and economic cycle of the area shall be in the good hands of the ministry, but with collaborative efforts of parties concerned. It should be noted, that the above project has been completed in the Akkar towns of Mishmish, Fneidik and Akkar al Atika to improve the living standards of small farmers through capacity building and technical training on agricultural know-how and water management in irrigation, as well as, on the enhancement of the farmer- broker or buyer relationships in the framework of marketing of local production. To this end, the Mada association provided a number of extension lectures related to the following topics: proper agricultural practices, distribution of in-kind aid, machinery and tools, guidelines on land preparation, tilling and selection of appropriate types of agriculture, contribution to the purchase of new apple varieties, the basis of conservation agriculture and distribution of leftover or residual seeds, comprehensive pest control, principles of proper apple pruning, fertilization and soil testing. Mada has also successfully installed about 135 modern irrigation systems in various areas targeted by the project, in addition to organizing the “Akkar Day’ in the capital Beirut and in Halba to promote products of agricultural cooperatives. The Improved Livelihoods initiative included a workshop on available marketing prospects, besides an extensive course for some 17 farmers on proper pruning and grafting methods of fruit trees. (AL Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, April 14, 2017)

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Zahleh workshop on tracking of agricultural products

13-4-2017

In collaboration with TUV office, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon IDAL organized yesterday an extension workshop in Zahleh on the ‘agricultural products’ tracking system and its role in facilitating access to international markets’. The event took place at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Zahleh and Bekaa with the participation of IDAL chair Nabil Itani, the Chamber’s vice president, Nounir Tineh, TUV office director, George Abu Haidar, as well as heads of industrial and agricultural syndicates and a number of Lebanese exporters. Tineh stressed the vitality of quality management systems in agriculture and their need to become part of the farmers’ culture. Similarly, Abu Haidar pressed for a continued development of this vibrant sector in general, with a special focus on agricultural packaging centers. Itani, in turn, maintained that the tracking system in packaging warehouses is highly useful, especially in controlling each phase of the handling and packing of the agricultural product so as to ensure a good management of food safety. IDAL president also drew attention to the maritime export program launched following the closure of borders with Syria and Jordan, lauding what he said the positive outcomes of the scheme in complementing land transport and curbing further decline of exports. Itani pointed out that the sea transport has accounted for nearly 86% of Lebanese exports compared to the land and air transport (11% and 3% respectively). He disclosed the amount of agricultural exports via said program as close to 73690 tons, that is equivalent to 22% of the size of agricultural exports, adding that some 759 truckloads, 92% of which are Lebanese owned, have been used to transport those exports. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, April 13, 2017)

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Arab conference in Beirut to support women’s economic contribution

13-4-2017

The minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, representing Prime Minister Saad Hariri, opened yesterday its 10th edition of the New Arab Women Entrepreneurs Forum (NAWF) at the Movenpick Hotel in Beirut. The event is aimed at promoting and supporting the contribution of women to the national economy as well as inspiring future generations of Arab women to actively engage in nation building. The forum which is organized by Al Hasnaa Magazine and Al-Iktissad Wal Aamal Group saw the participation of some 300 entrepreneurs, officials and representatives of multinational organization involved with women’s affairs. Ogassapian stressed on the occasion the importance of this convening in its appeal for the following: the revision of and elimination of texts in laws and regulations that are discriminatory against women; the amendment of the bigoted administrative practices as such to facilitate women’s access to economic resources, namely funds and bank credits equally with men, and the provision of technology and information through proper training and capacity building workshops that target women. For her part, the director general of the ministry of economy and trade, Alya Abbas, drew attention to the limited role of women in the public arena as a result of the dominant patriarchal culture and a political system that grants privileges based on gender, sectarianism and favoritism and other chauvinistic criteria at all levels. Abbas called for more serious and purpose-oriented work to ensure that all women know their rights and empower them to be bold enough to demand those rights, Abbas maintained. This, she added, requires an all-inclusive awareness education, involving both men and women, in addition to bringing the national policies and laws in compliance with international human rights commitments, which again necessitates the eradication of all discriminatory legislations against women. (Al Diyar, April 13, 2017)

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Tunisian Alliance calls for revoking the ban on Muslim women from marrying non-Muslims

12-4-2017

The Tunisia Alliance for Human Rights Groups called last week for revoking the 1973 decree issued by Justice Ministry banning Muslim women from marrying non-Muslims. The Alliance of some 60 local organizations signed a statement calling for scrapping the above decree which requires that a non-Muslim man who wishes to marry a Tunisian woman must convert to Islam before the Moufti of the Republic. L’Orient Le Jour which reported the news, wrote that despite the memo released in 2001 by the Tunisian Court of Cassation clarifying that the act of converting to Islam before the Moufti was not compulsory, and that there are other ways to prove it, including recognition by the couple themselves, yet, this measure was not satisfactory. Hazar Jahinawi, speaking for the Democrats Party, warned that this is not a solution to the predicament, noting that the text of the memo itself was discriminatory. The Tunisian Muslim woman, Jahinawi stated, has the right to marry whoever she wants, similar to her male Muslim national. The Alliance further explained that the above measure is contrary to the new Constitution adopted back in 2014 which guarantees the freedom of belief and equality between men and women. It should be noted, that the North African country has ratified the. Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which stipulates that Tunisian women have the right to choose their spouses. The Alliance finally said it hoped the decree in effect will be withdrawn by November, 2017. (L’Orient Le Jour, April 11, 2017)

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