News

On the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Center for Women at the Economic and Social Committee for West Asia (ESCWA) is planning a series of activities in cooperation with the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University, LAU, the Resource Center for Gender Equality, Abaad, and the UN Entity for Gender Equality-the Regional Office for Arab Countries. The first activity includes a best video competition for young men and women (up to 25 years). Contestants should submit a video log not longer than 30 seconds which answers the question: ‘how can we end violence against women?’ The winner will be hosted on a live program in honor of his/her work. Those wishing to participate are asked to send a link of the video to the IWSAW email: iwsaw@lau.edu.lb by November 25, 2016 the latest. (Al Mustaqbal, November 5, 2016)

 

Mada Association organized yesterday an exhibition under the theme ‘Akkar Day’ at the campus of the Lebanese International University LIU in Halba, in the North, with the aim to strengthen relations between consumers and producers. The activity, which is part of the EU-funded ‘Improved Livelihood for Small-Scale Farmers in Akkar’ project, represents a platform for promoting locally produced goods and for tasting food prepared by rural women, as said by Mada president, Nadim Zakhia. The latter stressed that his association has become part of Akkar with the permanent presence of representatives from the area at the administrative committee, and disclosed that Mada will start the implementation of a new strategic plan as of next year. For his part, the head of the Agriculture Department in the North, Mohammad Taleb, representing minister Akram Shehayeb, said the above project will encourage the contribution of rural women in family income. This, Taleb added, constitutes a progress in the social and economic life of those women and will increase employment opportunities, hence, reducing the rate of urban migration. He noted that the promotion of traditional food ‘mouneh’ revives the economic cycle of the agrarian rural communities. Similarly, MP Khaled Zahraman drew attention to government’s neglect of Akkar, underlining the need for a clear development plan to revive the local agricultural sector. (Al Mustaqbal, November 7, 2016)

 

Previous related news: 

‘Akkar Day’ in Horsh Beirut to promote rural products

 

The Bank of Lebanon inaugurated yesterday its third annual international startups business accelerator conference at Forum De Beyrouth (http://bit.ly/2fBnb4U) under the theme ‘innovation: entrepreneurship inside the big companies and entrepreneurships in general’. Some 20 thousand participants from all over the world attended the biggest platform in the Middle East region which will last till November 5. The two leading guests at the conference were: the main speaker, Steve Weznyak , Apple founding partner and Toni Fadel, the Lebanese American inventor, Senior Vice President of the iPod division at Apple and founder of Nest- the hardware firm acquired in billions by Google in 2014.  The director of the Executive Office of the Central Bank (CBL) Governor pointed out in her opening address that the conference comes as part of the implementation of the Bank’s Circular No. 331 aimed at motivating banks on investment in startups. Riad Salameh, the Central Bank Governor for his part, underlined the essential role of knowledge-based economy in the future of Lebanon, stressing that the purpose of guarantees provided by Bank of Lebanon to commercial banks is to create a job generating sector that enhances the effectiveness and competitiveness of the national economy. Salameh revealed that the foreign assets of the Central Bank have achieved a record exceeding USD 40 billion, noting that the formation of a new cabinet will eventually attract foreign contribution and, hence, will reduce the cost of the Syrian refugee presence in the country (estimated at nearly 5% of the GDP). Following the opening session, a panel discussion was held during which Fadel shared his years of experience in startups and in the technology and knowledge sector. Fadel gave attendees tips and instructions about the stages of founding a business. In the same vein, the president of Beirut Merchants Association and chairof the Alumni Association of AUB, Nicola Shammas, commended the Bank of Lebanon Circular 331 which, he said, contributed to capital infusion (up to USD 500 million) in support of emerging companies. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, As Safir, An Nahar, November 4, 2016)

 

The president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, described as ‘shameless’ the campaign launched last week by the Chamber of Commerce (c.f http://bit.ly/2fBGXNF), maintaining that a lot of problems in agriculture have been instigated by said chamber, its president and affiliated authorities. Howayek condemned the participation of the agriculture minister in the campaign instead of addressing the problem of the export of Lebanese banana to Syria and to deal with the repercussions of his past decision to halt the import of agricultural products from the neighboring country. Howayek revealed that in the past the Chambers and economic blocs have prevented all efforts to set up independent agricultural chambers as well as of a separate agricultural registry, hence depriving farmers from the benefits of health insurance, special electricity tariffs, other benefits and rights Such authorities, he added, also delayed the establishment of the National Bank for Agricultural Development, thus denying farmers access to soft loans to develop their farms, and encouraging the monopoly of big brokers and usurers. Howayek went on to say, that such attitude also prevented farmers from benefiting from a grace period required by the Arab Facilitation Agreement, resulting in the removal of customs taxes on subsidized Arab agricultural imports and prompting a fierce competition to made-in-Lebanon goods. This consequently led to the regression of agricultural seasons and an estimated USD 100 million in annual losses. Howayek further  criticized the coalition of chambers “which while contributing to annihilating the future of farmers and their livelihoods is now pretending to be their ally and advocate.” (Al Diyar, An Nahar, November 4, 2016)

 

A delegation of carpet merchants in Lebanon grieved during a visit yesterday to the labor minister Sajaan Azzi the fierce competition by their Iranian counterparts who have no work permits or legal status, yet are supported by certain local factions. In a statement released yesterday, the ministry disclosed that Iranian carpet dealers have been active in the various Lebanese regions, with special presence in Greater Beirut area. As such, the ministry  has dispatched inspection squads to take the necessary penalty measures against violators. Nevertheless, the statement went on to say, limited sanctions did not deter illegal dealers, hence driving Lebanese carpet shop owners to close their businesses and sack their workers. Moreover, the statement added, a number of Iranian traders tend to operate under sham partnership contracts with Lebanese merchants just to have access to sell their goods, while they avoid recruiting Lebanese workers or allowing their employees to benefit from social security. (Al Akbar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, November 4, 2016)

 

In the framework of fighting human trafficking, the General Directorate of Security Forces announced in a statement yesterday the arrest of a new prostitution ring active in Maameltein north east of the capital. The statement added that the bust was based on information involving an organized ring luring girls from Syria to travel to Lebanon for tourism and forcing them into prostitution. A number of perpetrators of Lebanese and Syrian nationalities have admitted to the charges and that they worked for a Lebanese procurer facilitating prostitution in exchange for money. Citing the confessions of those arrested, the statement said negotiations with clients were conducted over the phone, websites and social media. A number of cell phones were also confiscated as these were used by the ring in addition to a quantity of cash. Suspects were referred to the competent judiciary as the hunt for the rest of the ring members continues, the statement concluded. (As Safir, Al Mustaqbal, November 3, 2016)

 

Al Akhbar daily published a special feature on the subject with focus on olive farmers in Hermel in which it noted that this year’s harvest has recorded a drastic fall by nearly 80% compared to the previous season. Concerned parties attributed the dramatic situation mainly to climate change, in addition to growing smuggling and absence of marketing outlets. Farmers added that despite the ‘quality paradigm shift’ in the area’s olive farming and its manufacture of excellent virgin olive oil, according to French and Italian standards laboratories, the sector has not received proper attention from the government. To this effect, farmer Hussein Shamas told Al Akhbar reporter that the government has failed to secure market outlets for the local production as well to counter smuggling. He also noted that olive cultivation represents a substantial source of livelihood for hundreds of households in the region, while another olive grower, Ahmad Saheli, reported there are some 400 thousand different kinds of olive trees in Hermel alone. Al Akhbar also pointed out that many olive farmers in the area have boycotted the olive festival organized by the municipality in cooperation with Jihad al Binaa Agricultural Association, (c.f http://bit.ly/2eClPBN) and to stay away from useless ‘folkloric festivities’. In this respect, the director of the Regional Cooperative Union for Beqaa, Bassam Nasreddine, revealed that the government’s decision to purchase the olive oil was put into effect only once, in 2012, while reiterating the demand that the decision be systematically implemented. Furthermore, Nasreddine criticized the empty promises of the agriculture minister, which resulted in the creation of four new unproductive agricultural cooperatives, which raised their total number to 210 cooperatives, (80 cooperatives in Hermel only). He concluded by saying: “Instead of supporting active cooperatives, we see the emergence of new and poorly performing cooperatives; not a single market has been secured for our local production despite our repeated pleas to revive the role of the Directorate of Cooperatives whose basic function is external marketing.” (Al Akhbar, November 3, 2016)

 

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Saida and the South signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding with the Lebanese American University (LAU) to train the staff of the small and medium enterprises (SME), owners of startups and students to better serve their community. To this end, a number of training courses will be organized within the framework of the Continuing Education Program at LAU under the supervision of the University’s faculty. On the occasion, the Chamber’s president, Mohammad Saleh, underlined that the objective of educational and work advancement has remarkably changed, pointing out that challenges should be addressed through the continuous update of information and the promotion of skills for workers at SMEs. The signing of the above MoU, Saleh maintained, will strengthen joint cooperation in the field of training targeting owners and workers of startups and students as well. For his part, LAU President, Dr. Joseph Jabra, drew attention to the present challenges, particularly in the creation of opportunities in education and job promotion for those who “have jobs but do not have the luxury of enrolling in a course at the university to boost their skills in a fast changing world.” (Al Diyar, November 2, 2016)

 

The Afro- food sector has recorded an annual growth rate of 11% between the years 2012 and 2016, according to the ‘Investment opportunities in the food agricultural sector for 2016’ report published by the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL). The report indicated that the sector accommodates the largest share of labor force in the industrial sector estimated at 21 thousand workers. In the details, bakeries make up nearly (23%) of the agri-food products, followed by sweets and confectionary (22%), dairies and cheeses (16%) and carbs (8%). During the past four years, the agri-food sector posted 25% growth rate with proceeds reaching USD 550 million, only last year. Bakeries and patisseries products make up 18% of the exports, followed by dairies, fruits and vegetables, olive oil and lastly, the alcoholic drinks, the report added. Moreover, around 65% of the exports of the sector are destined to Arab countries and 23% to Europe. In conclusion, IDAL pointed out to promising prospects in 5 sub-sectors within the agricultural food industry, and they are: olive oil, dairy products, nuts, dried fruits, in addition to wine and wine made products. The market value of the wine industry, according to IDAL always, stands at nearly USD41 million (covering some 40 wineries), noting that wine exports to Britain account for 32% of the total, France (17%) and USA (14%). (Al Akhbar, November 2, 2016)