News

The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) organized last week a workshop entitled “exporting to Russia”.  The event was held at the Adnan Kassar building and was attended by the Honorary President of the Federation of Arab Chambers, Adnan Kassar, the Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim, the Minister of Industry, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, IDAL’s president Nabil Itani, and the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, in addition to a number of presidents of Lebanese chambers and economic institutions and exporters, farmers as well as representatives of maritime transport.
Kassar opened the workshop with a keynote address during which he noted that the size of trade exchange between Lebanon and Russia is not commensurate with the existing capacities of the two parties and especially since Lebanon’s exports to Russia are modest and did not exceed some USD 12,000 in 2013 compared to some USD 918,000 for Russian imports.  Itani noted that Russia is a very important market for the agriculture and food sector particularly since Russia imports more that 50% of its local consumption of food and beverages.  Minister Hakim noted in his speech that the initiative to export to Russia came about as a result of close cooperation between the relevant Ministries and economic institutions according to a roadmap which involves defining needed products, Lebanese companies that produce them and Lebanese companies that export to Russia and the most appropriate means of transport.  Accordingly, suggestions will be made to develop existing trade agreements and to stimulate the work of the joint Lebanese-Russian business committee.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, 15 October 2014

The Human Rights Centre at the USEK Law School in Kaslik organized a seminar on the issue of prostitution which aimed at creating a space for dialogue on the realities of prostitution in Lebanon and how to combat it. The event included a discussion about Lebanese laws in relation to sexual exploitation of women.  It also included a number of interventions notably by Lorenza Trulli of the UNHCR on displaced Syrian women refugees who were coerced into prostitution.  Judge Reine Matar spoke about the nebulous nature of the law in relation to prostitution.  She also spoke about the causes of prostitution, its evolution and widespread trend.  The representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs, psychologist Maria Bruni, noted that prostitution is neither a choice nor a conscious decision but rather a result of difficult psychological and social circumstances.  Bruni concluded by presenting a number of recommendations notably: the set-up pf a programme to treat both victims and perpetrators, raising public awareness and education in collaboration with CSOs, formulating policies to combat trafficking in women and children and to protect displaced and refugee women.
Source: Al-Nahar 17 October 2014

The President of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Mohammed Shucair, honored the Lebanese Business Women listed by Middle East Forbes Magazine amongst the strongest 200 Arab women for 2014.  The event was organized by the Chamber for the occasion during which Shucair noted that the representation of women in executive positions is not commensurate with the existing capacities in Lebanon.  He added that this gap is clear at the leadership levels in corporate and in the private sector and political life.  PM’s wife, Lama Salam also spoke at this event in addition to Minister Alice Shabtini and former first lady Mona Hrawi who addressed the honored women by saying that their success is due to their education and their belief in their capacity to succeed in a patriarchal society.  Hrawi considered that real growth and economic advancement cannot be realized if half the society is marginalized and, therefore, the participation of women is a matter of national interest.
Honored women included: Minister of the displaced Alice Shabtini, from the governmental sector category, Mona Buwarshi, CEO of the Jazaeiri transport company, Caroline Fattal Fakhouri business partner of Praesta, Shireen Maktabi, co-founder of Iwan Matabi shop, Rula Mussa business partner at Netways, Sawsan Wazzan Jabri, co-founder of Diet Center, Nadia Sheaib the President and CEO of Clinserv International, and Hanan Saab, founder and general director of Pharmamed, from family companies category. Randa al-As3ad, CEO of 3aref and Ben Touk for Architecture Consultations, Joumana Bassil Chelala, Deputy General Manager, Head of Group Consumer Banking of Byblos Bank, and Leila Hoteit co-founder and member of Boston Group.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal , Al-Diyar 15 November 2014

According to the Audi Group (AG) economic report for third quarter of 2014, both the agricultural and the industrial sectors have declined, with a decrease of 10.4% in agricultural exports but with an increase in internal demand, and a decrease of 21.7% for the Industrial exports, compared to 2013.  The report noted a modest improvement in the business and services sectors and a 4.2% improvement in tourism.  On the other hand, there was a slight deficit of 302 million LBP in the balance of payment despite an increase of 7.1% in financial remittances.  Exports to Syria have also increased by 9.1% and have reached USD 540 million.  The report also highlighted the resilience of the banking sector which was steadfast during the past nine months despite the local security upheavals.
With regards to the impact of Syrian refugees on Lebanon, the report noted that this is a two-edged sword as they have undoubtedly contributed to the local economy through increasing consumption of goods and services which has served to invigorate the economy, but have also posed an additional burden on the job market, he basic infrastructure and on the overall financial situation of the country. Referring to the last IMF report, AG predicted the level of unemployment to increase to 20% compared to 11% in 2011.  
Source: Al-Safir 17 November 2014

American Ambassador David Hale attended yesterday the sixth national graduation ceremony of the Teaching Women English (TWE) programme which is implemented by Hayya Bina and Ma3akum associations with financial support from the American Embassy.  In his keynote address, Hale called for unity in facing groups that are seeking to create hatred.  He emphasized the importance of learning new things, meet new people and exchange ideas to challenge extremism.  The director of Ma3akum, Ghena 3allush, who is implementing the project in Northern  Lebanon, noted for her part that at a time when the region was invading the news with events related to violence, extremism and explosions, her organization was collaborating with municipalities and local NGOs from diverse affiliations to strengthen the concept of conviviality through meeting around education and learning amongst women who are coming from diverse backgrounds and who wish to arm themselves with knowledge.  The event was concluded by the distribution of certificates to some 720 graduates who completed 36 sessions which were spread over 6 months.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar, 17 November 2014

L’Orient le Jour published in its issue of last Friday that Dr. Lara Hanna Wakim has been elected as a non-permanent member of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST).  This is the first time that this body includes a nutritionist from the MENA region since the 1960s.  Wakim is an agronomist specialized in food safety and quality and is a holder of a PhD from the Agricultural Industry in France, and has been working as the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the USEK University since 2013.  For her part, Wakim indicated that through her new appointment, she will try to be useful to MENA region and especially to Lebanon.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 14 November 2014

L'Orient le Jour noted in an article published today that, in spite of the recent control efforts carried out by the Minister of Labor, Sijaan Azzi, the bringing in of migrant domestic workers to Lebanon, by employment offices continue to be subject of gross violations especially in relation to setting costs.  According to the newspaper, the overall costs covered by future employers include price of the air ticket, admin expenses in source countries, and honorarium for the employment offices.  L'OlJ ascertains that the calculation of the overall costs largely varies in range and is a factor of these aforementioned costs, noting that employment offices tend to manipulate bills and receipts.
The newspaper further stated that the salary of migrant women domestic workers depend on their nationality and may vary between USD 180 and USD 250 and will normally include the cost of the work permit, health insurance, lab tests, etc..., and may all add up to USD 500 – 600, which is more than the current minimum wage of USD 450 in Lebanon.  
(Source: L’Orient le Jour 14 November 2014)

 

Media circles are still reporting the repercussions of the explosive revelations of the Minister of Health, Wael Abu Faoor, who revealed last Saturday a list of prominent commercial establishment serving compromised food.  Abu Faoor also revealed on Wednesday a new list of 18 establishments. A number of franchise establishments were included in the new list notably Roadsters and Mac Donalds.  
The President of the Franchise Association noted yesterday that mistakes are possible and it is imperative to conduct additional lab tests according to international standards to ensure that testing results on quality and safety are credible. He criticised the way in which Minister Abu Faoor revealed the matter.  Abu Faoor replied to those who accused him of jeopardising the tourism season by saying that the price of tourism and economy will not be the life of citizens.
In a related vein, this crisis has led many citizens to raise their own domestic animals.  The owner of a Shuf-located mill, Abu Firas, noted that the news of food corruption prompted people to buy wheat and to process their own food such as grains, jams and pickles.  According to Om Wael from Klayah village, any many citizens from Arkoob, Hasbaya and Marjeyoun, people are already used to and depend on home made food. For his part, Marwan Sharrouf, the head of the Najmet el Sobh cooperative which is located in M7hadtheh and produces naturally processed food (“Mooneh”), called for a return to health food.  The head of the Federation of Kalaat al Istiklal municipalities, Issam Hadi, noted that citizens' health is indeed in danger, adding that combating corruption is the responsibility of all and that it is the duty of municipalities to ensure food safety.
(Source: Annahar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar 14 November 2014)

 

Lebanese Democratic Women Gathering organized yesterday a press conference in which it presented the results of the project aiming at  empowering marginalized rural women which it implemented with the support of Diakonia.  The project which kicked off in 2012 sought at strengthening the legal knowledge capacities of rural women in the Beqaa, Saida, Tripoli and Mount Lebanon.  The project targeted 7 groups totaling 102 women.  The targeted women and girls underwent various forms of training on different subjects including CEDAW, gender equality, violence against women, advocacy and related tools that can be used to achieve human and women rights.  According to the project coordinator, Maha Namoor, the project first focused on economic empowerment then moved into adult literacy and human rights, but also provided psychological support.
(Source: Al Mustaqbal and Al Nahar 13 November 2014)

 

UNIDO launched yesterday in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry (MoI), a project to develop conglomerations of cultural and creative industries (CCI) funded jointly by the European Union and the Italian government (5.6 million Euros).  The event was held under the auspices of the Minister of Industry, Hussein Hajj Hassan.
In his keynote address, Minister Hajj Hassan clarified that two conglomerations were selected to benefit from this project namely handicrafts and furniture making.  He added that what is needed is to improve skills, quality of production, and introduce new designs to boost marketing.  According to the Minister, it is most important to ensure sustainable marketing well beyond the life of the project.  The Minister further reiterated that sustainability necessitate the intervention of the state to develop general long term policy which will highlight future needs and priorities the support to the agricultural and industrial sectors.
(Source: Assafir, Annahar and Al Mustaqbal 13 November 2014)