News

The present critical crisis of unemployment in the Arab world was widely conveyed in the Arab Economy Assessment Report which estimated the number of jobless persons in the Arab countries by 22 million. The report put the rate of unemployment for the year 2013 at 17.4% (quoting Arab Monetary Fund figures) and 14.8% (according to ESCWA), which it noted was three times higher the global rate. Regionally, the report which was compiled by the Research Center for the General Secretariat of the Federation of Arab Banks posted the following unemployment figures: 19% for the least developed countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania and Yemen); 17% for the Mashreq countries (Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt); 11% for the Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Libya), and only 5.7% for GCC countries. According to Al Hayat newspaper the above stated report was discussed during the first meeting of secretaries of regional and Arab bank associations held in Beirut last Friday, and attended by officials from some 26 Arab and foreign countries. According to Al Hayat these high rates reflect the negative fallbacks of armed conflict and political instability on the economies of the region. Regarding the unemployment rate among Arab youth, the report indicated that it is presently estimated at 29% that is almost double the global youth unemployment level, whereas figures for Arab countries under armed conflict stood between 40 to 50%. The AMF pointed out that the rate of unemployed female youth was 43.4% (triple the global rate), and that that the number of unemployed educated youth accounted for 40% of the total number in some countries. (Al Hayat, 29 August 2015)

 

The Hariri Foundation, in cooperation with the General Corporation for Construction and Contracting GENICO completed a project aimed at supporting, marketing and developing the production capacity of the traditional wooden crafts industry in the Carpenters’ souk- Old Saida quarter. The initiative is part of a sustainable urban development strategy for the capital of the south, implemented in partnership with the city’s municipality with funding from the EU Mediterranean Partnership Program. Saida Mayor Mohamad Saudi toured the repair works and met with shop owners there. He stressed the importance of such undertaking in safeguarding the heritage of the old part of the city and which is celebrated as a tourist attraction. Remarking that traditional crafts is a source of living for many families who inherited the craft from older generations. For her part, Hiba Honaini from the Hariri Foundation told Al Mustaqbal newspaper that the project seeks to reduce the rate of poverty and as such has targeted four wooden craft shops in the Old Quarter by facilitating the interior renovation and restoration, provision of upgraded machinery and equipment and the improvement of façades and display presentation, in addition to imprinting the "Saida the crafts” logo on the products for better marketing and promotion. (Al Mustaqbal, 31 August 2015)

Al Diyar daily published a review of industrial exports during 2014 and the first five months of 2015 which revealed a 7% decline. Data showed that the value of exports during May 2015 reached USD293 million against USD235 million for the previous month and a USD308 million in May 2014. As such, the drop in exports of commodities stood at 8.7% for the first five months of the present year compared to the same period of last year. Despite these figures, the president of the Lebanese Industrialists Association Fadi Gemayel told Al Diyar that the industry sector still employs over 134 thousand workers and contributes to 10% of the Gross Domestic Product, while yearly industrial exports secure nearly USD 3 billion worth of hard currency, thus contributing to the reduction of the trade deficit which has reached recently $17 billion. (Al Diyar, 22 August 2015)

L’Orient Le Jour published in its issue of last Saturday a feature on alternative tourism in Lebanon in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism in an attempt to develop new strategies to revive the sector in the absence of Arab Gulf tourists. The plan focuses on promoting the rural and eco-tourism industry through inspiring Lebanese immigrants to visit their homeland and bond with their roots. In this respect, Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon noted that provisional data revealed an increase by half of the number of Arab tourists this year. However, the overall rate, he added, is still meagre compared to the 2010 flourishing season. The Minister also revealed that some 617.398 tourists have entered the country this summer, including some 217.386 Arab tourists. Quoting environmental experts, the newspaper reported that Beirut is no longer attractive as a recreational space and that tourists are now seeking natural destinations. Meanwhile, Rafik and Rula Yasigi, co-owners of ‘Bouyouti’ project in Maasir Beitiddin Chouf, said that their lodgings are fully booked until September, noting that 65% of the guests are Lebanese and the remaining 35% are foreigners, mainly Europeans. L’Orient Le Jour also pointed out to the experience of Arc En Ciel association which runs ecological guesthouses such as the Eco-Friendly Center in Taanayel, Bekaa area, Auberge St Michel and Beit Al Hana in Maasir El Chouf. Highlighting the development of tourism in Jezzine, the newspaper said the town now boasts some 16 guesthouses and hotels against only two in the past. (L’Orient Le Jour, 22 August 2015)

The Minister of Tourism Michel Pharaon launched Tanourine Cedars festivities which will commence next Saturday in the presence of Marlene Harb, the head of the festival’s organizing committee, the National Agency director Laure Sleiman Saab, the town mayor Dr. Munir Tarabey and Caracalla Dance Theatre director Ivan Caracalla besides a crowd of Tanourine inhabitants. Harb announced the set-up of the Lebanese-Tanourine committee which will become the official sponsor for the event. She then outlined the festival’s program which she said will include a major cultural art event named ‘the bewitched forest’ planned for the opening. (Al Diyar, 26 August 2015)

Al Qamuah in the north ended yesterday its sports-tourism festival under the auspices of Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon and with supervision from the Federation of Municipalities of Qaitaa, Akkar. The closing day was attended by representatives of community and civil society organizations and the Future Lebanon Scouts  Association, in addition to a number of sports clubs and teams. Fneidik Mayor Khaldoon Taleb pointed out that while it should be listed as a major touristic attraction due to its ecstatic diversity, Al Qamuah is still an abandoned region. Representing Pharaon, the prominent businessman Mahmud Hadara expressed hope that the festival would be a run-up for similar activities in the future which would restore Akkar to the touristic map and bring back the role of the state in the social and economic development of that area. (Al Diyar, 26 August 2015)

The Future Movement Women’s Sector- Coordination Committee for Drayb in Akkar organized a seminar focusing on school dropouts and adult education. The event was called for by Wadia Ramadan, the Central Sector’s Social Development Committee officer with the participation of the women’s sector in the Juma and Kaita coordination committees. The seminar was attended by regional sector coordinators and organizational affairs associates, in addition to some 50 women from the Akkar region. Ferial Kush, the Central Sector Secretary spoke about the phenomenon of school dropouts and its negative impact on the personality and mindset of the young generation. For her part, the Adult Education Committee Officer Nayla Masri briefed attendees on the role of knowledge and education in the development and advancement of communities. Also, the Officer for Health Awareness Najwa Alamiddine underlined the importance of health education and its influence on households and communities in general. (Al Mustaqbal, 24 August 2015)

The Lebanese Green Party received the contestants for Miss Lebanon Emigrants 2015 in Tannourine in the north accompanied by head of the official beauty pageant organizing committee Antoine Maksud. The Party said that hosting the contestants was part of its conviction in the importance of communication between Lebanese residents and expatriates so as to familiarize the latter with their homeland. The delegation escorted by Green Party chief Nada Zaarour stopped at the Balou area in Tannourine for an eco-friendly recreational activity arranged by the Three Bridges Association. The group then visited the Municipality and continued from there on to the Cedars Reserve of Tannourine where the contestants planted cedar seedlings in their names before they were handed certificates of appreciation. (Al Mustaqbal, 23 August 2015)

The Gymnastics Union organized last Sunday the women tournament at the Buddha Sports Club in Adma north of Beirut with some 90 women contestants representing the Buddha, Al Riyadi, Hoops, Lycee National, Hariri Complex, Hariri High School and Stars Gymnastics of Tripoli clubs. The games were attended by the Union Chief Mohamad Makki and Union members, the Buddha Club Chief Francois Saadeh, Chief of Stars of Tripoli Ayman Al Umor in addition to a crowd of game fans and parents. The event was supervised by the Head of the Technical Committee, Sawsan Izzidine, Secretary General of the Union Randa Chidyak and the International Referee Hamsa Iskandarani as well as the technical advisor Mohamad Khoumasi. At the end of the games, the Gymnastics Union chief and members distributed medals and certificates among the winners. (Al Mustaqbal, 22 August 2015)

The Lebanese Women’s Association in France launched a series of cultural, social and art activities kicking off with the honoring for the Soprano Rima Tawil, who is living in France. The musical evening aimed at achieving the following: underscore the role and supportive undertakings of Lebanese women in the Diaspora; exchange experience and assistance between members and friends of the Association and introduce the second and third generations to their homeland. Chairing the Association, Randa Lteif Estephan, migrated to France during the Civil War some 25 years back to follow up her studies and is now a French citizen and a cultural activist. Speaking to An Nahar newspaper, Estephan described her Association’s key objectives which seek to highlight the active life and performance of Lebanese women in France and to provide counseling support particularly in the legal and social arenas. According to An Nahar, this young women group includes 120 dynamic members in the fields of medicine, press, art, law, economy and entrepreneurship as well as housewives. (An Nahar, 24 August 2015)