News

The President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon, Mohamad Shucair and the President of the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) Charles Arbid launched yesterday the first ‘Retail Sales Evolution- First Half of 2015 Index’ report in a joint press conference held at the premises of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber, noting that report will be published every six months. Shucair said the new index is of high significance as it “monitors the developments on the level of consumption on the one hand, and on the other hand, helps in identifying changes in the lifestyle of the Lebanese, their purchasing power and their confidence in the national economy, which will facilitate the development of consumption favourable policies,” as he put it. Shucair went on to say that the figures cited in the above report demonstrate the worrying situation of stagnation prevailing in the retail sector. For his part, LFA chief pointed out that retail sales for the six most important items (clothing and accessories, household items, cosmetics, food and beverages, luxury items, sports products) fell by 22.6% compared to the year 2012 when this index was first introduced, while entertainment, catering and related services increased by a mere 4.8% and tourism by 9.9%. However, Arbid noted that above rates are relatively meager if compared to the increase in operational costs over the past two and a half years. He explained that by comparing sales during the first six months of this year with those recorded during the same period of 2014, the sales figures for the six consumption categories rose by 2.2%, while stressing once more that theses figures do not represent an actual improvement in sales. )Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, As Safir, Al Diyar, October 2, 2015(

 

The Minister of Industry Dr. Hussein Haj Hassan inaugurated yesterday the fourth mobile market for traditional mouneh and crafts organized by the Municipality of Gobeiri. The event, sponsored by UNDP and the Association of Local Development Agency for Beirut Southern Suburbs (ALEDA BSS), took place at Al Amliyeh Building. “There is an absence of true economic policies in Lebanon, only general guidelines and empty slogans disguised under liberal economy,” Haj Hassan said, pointing out that the currently marginalized industry and agriculture sectors should become the basis for re-establishing a free and solid economy as they generate employment prospects. “Our nation needs jobs not aid, and, unfortunately, our markets are wide open to all world countries, to which our exports are not accessible,” the Minister added. (Al Diyar, October 2, 2015)

 

As part of the US Embassy Small Grants Program (ESGP) in support of civil society, the Beirut Center for Development and Human Rights (BCDHR) concluded last week its ‘Women Economic Empowerment and Life Skills’ project. Certificates were distributed to participant during a ceremony held at Al Multaqa Club in the southern port city of Saida. On the occasion, the Project Director, Ahmad Chamseddine emphasized the important role that women play in the economy of a country while indicating that some 600 girls and women from the South and North benefited from the project over a period of one year. (An Nahar, October 2, 2015)

 

The Paris-based Quality Systems International (QSI) organized on September 29th a ceremony for distributing the prize for the Best Idealistic NGO (BINGO) under the sponsorship of the Social Affairs Ministry and the UNDP. The event which was held in collaboration with the General Directorate of NGOs and the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities took place at Abou Khater Amphitheater in Beirut. The quality NGO assessment award, it should be noted, aims at motivating and assisting the operational activities of non-profit community organizations in Lebanon. The Prize of Excellence for the women empowerment category was granted to Bassma association that works for the rehabilitation of disadvantaged households by helping them realize their self-sufficiency. The selection committee was formed of a group of distinguished international and regional experts. (L’Oreint Le Jour, As Safir, October 1, 2015)

 

The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, inaugurated yesterday the Lebanese pavilion at IFTM Top Resa 2015 in Paris in the presence of his French counterpart and the participation of the Lebanese private sector represented by the travel and tourism agencies and hospitality establishments as well as the Middle East Airlines. Pharaon stressed that partaking in this international exhibition after a four year halt demonstrates the solid relations between the two countries, especially in tourist exchange. He also underlined the significance of extending bridges with other participating countries which he said should have constructive results in the future particularly with the improving conditions at home. Pharaon was briefed by the Lebanese exhibitors on the turnout of guests who were interested in visiting Lebanon, pointing to the “need to support the distinctive features of tourism in Lebanon particularly following the recent stability in the country which has contributed to the growth of the sector 25% during the first quarter of 2015 and 15% by the end of August,” as Minster said. (Al Diyar, October 1, 2015)

 

Lubnayiyoon Association launched last Tuesday a national platform to the political role of women in the Lebanese parties in the presence of the President of the Woman and Child Committee MP Gilbert Zuwayn and representatives of women organizations and journalists. On the occasion, Lubnayiyoon, President Nadine Daher pointed out that the women in politics theme was prompted not only “by our belief in the principles of democracy and equality which are violated in many aspects, but also by our conviction that women who are absent from the political seen have the capacity to bring about a positive impact needed to end the vicious circle.” For her part, the Kataeb Party Political Bureau member, Dr. Mira Wakim, urged the Lebanese parties to act as pressure groups to change the status quo and genuinely work to realize a balanced regional development and administrative divisions that take into consideration societal integration. Similarly, the Hezbollah Women Committees officer, Khadigeh Saloom, stressed the need to address the political presence of women as a social question that weigh in the attitude and the intellectual underpinnings of the various partisan factions in the country. Lastly, the Progressive Socialist Party Women Commissioner, Wafa Abed, noted that women’s rights are being denied or ignored in marriage, education, work, court, politics and state jobs. (An Nahar, October 1, 2015)

 

In its continuing reporting of the economic activities during Ad7ha and across Lebanon, As Safir daily described the economic situation of Souk El Khan in Hasbaya as stagnant despite the hustle of Syrian refugees who frequent it for its cheap prices, as well as the UNIFIL troops who enjoy touring the popular and traditional street stalls. While branding the marketplace as the ‘market of the poor’, one farmer, Abu Mansur told the newspaper that he looks forward for every Tuesday of each week to showcase his rural agricultural products, like peaches, apples, grapes and pears. However, he added, that the souk has been sluggish for some time reflecting the general worsening economic situation for citizens living in this border areas. Likewise, and despite the efforts exerted by the Municipality of Hasbaya to renovate the old souk and promote local trade, Adel, a pottery artisan from Rashaya Al Fukhar said that market activity remains sluggish as a result of the overall stringent living conditions that caused a downfall in the per capita purchasing power of consumers. (As Safir, September 30, 2015)

 

The USAID-funded Lebanese Industry Value Chain Development Project (LIVCD) organized last week a conference devoted to assess growth achieved in cherry production during the years 2014 and 2015. Over 100 persons, mostly farmers and exporters of cherries from the Beqaa and Mount Lebanon, partook in the event which was held at the USJ campus in Ta2nayel. In the beginning of the vent, a presentation outlined the various challenges, and achievements realized so far in cherry production. According to a report prepared by LVICD, the two-year old programme has contributed to a rise by 50% in production of cherries and to a surge in profits to farmers by 100%. It is to be noted that during the implementation period the program organized training courses on new cultivation techniques in addition to supporting water irrigation. (L’Orient Le Jour, September 24, 2015)

 

The Lebanese Network for the Development of Individuals (http://lebanesendi.com/about-us) launched yesterday ‘your idea, your project’ program during a press conference held at the Press Club in the presence of economic and social figures in addition to a group of young individuals. On the occasion, LNDI president, Pierre Duaihy, pointed out that the initiative is dedicated to assist the youth in realizing their original concepts into practicable ventures by giving them the chance to meet the right sponsors or investors. The program, Duaihy said, also aims at stimulating the young generations to stay in Lebanon and become entrepreneurs by developing their innovative capacities and talents and helping them find viable opportunities that generate production and financial and economic independence. LNDI president announced that the project will kick off from the North, specifically from Zgharta-Zawya area, and will expand to cover all the Lebanese regions, adding that funds have been secured domestically, and from abroad, namely from Australia and other foreihn countries where Lebanese immigrants reside. (An Nahar, September 30, 2015)