News

The Ministry of Industry commemorated yesterday the ‘National Day for the Lebanese Industry’ under the patronage of Prime Minister Tamam Salam who was represented by Industry Minister Dr. Hussein Haj Ali at the Industrial Research Institute, Lebanese University in Hadath. The Head of the Industrial Information Department at the Ministry of Industry, Rabi Badran, opened the event with a presentation of key economic data related to the performance of the industrial sector between 2012 and 2014. Charbel Salloom, engineer at the Licenses Department in the Ministry also outlined the country’s industrial map indicating the various current industrial districts in Lebanon. Haj Hassan, for his part, after describing the major challenges facing the sector and noting the falling public revenues, pointed out to several proposals for the advancement of the sector, particularly related to fiscal and tax incentives, which have been agreed with the Minister of Finance, and still awaiting to be implanted. Some of the proposed incentives include the 50% exemption of income tax on profits from industrial exports; amendment of Article 17 of the VAT bill which exempts raw materials and industrial equipment from the VAT tax; the passing of a law on mergers between factories; subsidizing interest rates on operational capital in the case of industrial exports, and finally, promoting industrial research and exempting it from taxes. To this effect, Director-General of the Ministry of Industry, Dany Gedeon presented the comprehensive industrial vision developed by his ministry (Lebanon Industry 2025). Finally, it is to be noted, that in a recent speech, the governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon totally overlooked the industrial sector when referring to the leading sectors that will shape the future of the Lebanese economy. (For the CBL governor’s statement click here)
(As Safir, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, 3 June 2015)

As part of its initiative to ‘promote the culture of retirement and utilize the retirees’ expertise in Lebanon’, the Ministry of Social Affairs celebrated yesterday ‘the day of loyalty to the retired’. The event which was held at the Bar Association honored more than 260 retired staff in the presence of a large number of political and military officials as well as media figures, unionists and retirees. The Deputy Chairperson of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry, Fernand Abi Haidar, stated the objective of the project which is to highlight the significance of utilizing the experience and skills of retired employees needed to achieve local community development while promoting the concepts of participation and volunteering. For his part, Social Affairs Minister, Rashid Derbas, citing studies surveying the living conditions in Lebanon, said that 14% of people in the retirement age group continue to work, accounting for nearly 4.5% of the total national workforce. Commenting on above findings, Derbas said “this is a solid proof that retired people can still remain productive and are capable of giving.” (Al Diyar, 3 June 2015)

In response to UN Director General appeal and following their campaign to end violence, ‘Say No to Violence’ association launched its program ‘Ambassador of No Violence’. In this respect, activists are planning to dress up in orange on the 25th of each month as a reminder of the campaign aiming to fight violence against women and girls in the various parts of Lebanese society as well as in the Arab world. The monthly event will host activities and celebrations to mark the day. (Al Diyar, 3 June 2015)

The Order of Nurses in Lebanon condemned in a statement circulated yesterday the new assault against a woman nurse at Rafik Hariri University Hospital, and warned that such frequent acts have become a threat to the future of the profession and to the life of the nursing staff. The statement called for quick and tough measures to end this phenomenon of abuse. The statement finally urged all segments of society to assume their responsibility in defending and protecting nurses. (Al Diyar, 3 June 2015)

The Criminal Court of Beirut began the prosecution of the Ethiopian domestic worker in the case of the alleged murder of 4-year old Celine Rakan in October of last year. Judge Helena Iskandar summoned the defendant Bezoihou Niga Pilai (31 years) for questioning but the latter’s attorney asked for deferral until after her request is met, which is to get copy of the video containing audios before, during and after the death of the child. In light of the above, the Court decided to adjourn the proceedings until next October 1st. (Al Mustaqbal, 3rd June 2015)

The Safadi Foundation in cooperation with the North Bar Association conducted a discussion panel entitled ‘Women and Citizenship’ at the Municipality of Mina, Tripoli. The event was organized by the committee for ‘Beit al Muwatin’ (home of citizen) project which is financed by the Norwegian Embassy in Lebanon. In her address to the panel, Minister for the Displaced, Alice Shibtini, underscored the leading role that women can play in citizenship through her work, position, skills, and through active participation in the process of political, economic and social advancement. She described the citizenship project as a space for interaction between members of society and women in particular, praising it role in supporting meaningful local community initiatives and activities. Similarly, former Mina mayor, Mohamad Issa, described women’s presently marginalized situation based on data related to their participation in public affairs. Facts indicate the presence of only one woman in the current Cabinet against 24 male ministers; four women MPs out of a total of 128 members of Parliament. Towards the end of the event, a debate session was held during which participants put forward suggestions calling for relevant ministries to assume their responsibilities, and expressed their support to the right of Lebanese women to pass on their nationality to their children in the framework of a well studied parliamentary proposal. (Al Mustaqbal, 2nd June 2015)

Director General of the Union of Arab Banks, Wissam Fatooh, received yesterday the chairwoman of the Investment and Technology Promotion at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Monica Carco, to review projects and activities implemented by the UN organization in a number of Arab countries. Carco reportedly handed to Fatooh an official invitation to attend the annual conference on the empowerment of women capacities which will be held on Tuesday, June 9, in Egypt. Fatooh expressed the Union’s readiness to collaborate in all such projects and to contribute to the development of women’s self-capacities. He also proposed to host a broad meeting for representatives of international organizations, such as the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Union for the Mediterranean, the International Finance Corporation and the European Investment Bank, and aiming at supporting women's economic capacities through comprehensive and complementary programs. These programs should include projects that are compatible with women’s contexts, and in line with their aspirations in the field of business. (Al Diyar, 30 May 2015)