News

Because of the free trade agreements concluded with a number of Arab and foreign countries, industrialists of Beqaa are suffering from the dumping of cheap imported goods in the local market. This is creating a situation of unfair competition for Lebanese products both in the internal and external markets. The situation has arisen because of the huge difference in production cost which leaves the Lebanese industrial production in a weak position and unable to compete with foreign products that have the support of their governments at the level of labor cost, the supply of land and fuel, in addition to tax-free laws and regulations. In view of that, Beqaa industrialists have recently submitted a list of demands entitled: ‘protecting national production’, to the ministers of economy and industry during their recent visits to the area. The paper calls for equal treatment in view of the incentives enjoyed by the products of neighboring countries, most primarily the provision of cheap fuel supply for production. Beqaa industrialists criticized the Lebanese government for its restrictive implementation of various trade agreements on the Lebanese borders which further exacerbate the situation. For example, while some EU countries ban any import of dairy products, the Lebanese authorities give a free entry to all kinds of French, Danish and Cypriot cheeses and dairy products. The same applies for potatoes coming from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries and compared to restrictions enforced by these countries on Lebanese industrial and food products, like eggs and poultry which are banned from entering the Saudi Kingdom. Moreover, some North African countries such as Sudan, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia do not comply with the Arab Facilitation Agreement while enforcing additional customs on the entry of Lebanese goods. (As Safir, 14 August 2015)

As Safir newspaper published yesterday a feature on the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs & Tombacs based on an interview with its director of manufacturing and maintenance, engineer Salah Zeidan, who hailed the national role of the company in motivating and supporting local farmers. Zeidan said the Regie kicked off from Bekfaya and gradually expanded from an agricultural fiefdom controlling up to hundreds of acres to a an equal opportunities distributor growing licenses to farmers who cultivate their own land. At that point, the decision to develop the sector was taken in unison with the construction of the first plant in 1994 in Bekfaya, and then two others, the first in Hadath, built in 1997 and the second in Gazieh, built in 1998 and renovated this year. On the impact of the Regie strategy, Zeidan insisted that it was very successful. He noted that the Regie’s total disbursement to farmers during the last season amounted to some LBP 90 billion that were distributed to some 23-25 thousands household farmers. Production also has risen from 2,000 boxes per month in 1993 to 35 thousands presently. Furthermore, he noted that the yearly operational cycle dropped from 16 to 10 or 11 months, which Zeidan explained, meant less hardship for farmers. He disclosed that with the expansion and of the Hadath factory, the Regie is now transformed into a full-fledged national company, pumping significant amounts of money into public treasury through the Ministry of Finance, with proceeds for the year 2014 reaching LBP 790 billion. (As Safir, 14 August 2015)

The Future Movement Secretary General, Ahmad Hariri, received yesterday a delegation from ‘Loubnaniyoun’ headed by Nadine Daher who shared with Hariri the national charter produced by the group in order to stimulate the political role of women within Lebanese parties. The document presented by Daher and signed by Hariri also aimed at developing the leadership capacities of Lebanese women, preparing women to reach decision making and senior positions inside and outside political parties, and particularly within local structures, parliament and the government. Present at the meeting which took place in Beirut was the general coordinator of the Future Movement women’s sector, Afifa Sayyid. (Al Mustaqbal, 14 August 2015)

The Minister of Education handed a former woman inmate her high school diploma at his office in the ministry. Hanaa Nasr Eddine sat earlier for the secondary official exams from the confinement of her cell at the women’s prison in Baabda and successfully pasts them with the support of Dar Al Amal Association (Check: Woman student passes official exams from Baabda prison). Minister Elias Bu Saab pledged to help Nasr Eddine realize her dream in going to college and following up her higher studies, saying: “Hanaa is the only student to receive her official certificate from me personally as a message to many others that education opens wide doors for the future, especially for those who have lost hope or have fallen into error.” For her part, Nasr Eddine thanked Minister Bu Saab for visiting her at the prison and for appreciating her determination, adding that she plans to joint the Lebanese University in order to study engineering. Similarly, Dar Al Amal head Habib Hatem lauded education minister’s efforts, pointing that Hanaa has become the hope and role model for many women inmates. He noted that Dar Al Amal has previously helped another woman inmate to complete her studies and later to graduate as a lawyer. (An Nahar, 13 August 2015)