News

As Safir newspaper published a report on Amira al Ali, a.k.a. Umm Khaled, who has a small shop and bakery on the Kuwykhat main road in Akkar.  Umm Khaled starts working at the crack of dawn when she prepares the bread dough used to bake Manakeesh and thin traditional Lebanese bread.  Her priority is school children.  Umm Khaled works seriously and with determination.  This has motivated her to expand her small business which now includes a legumes stall.  Umm Khaled’s objective is to secure money to send her children to school because, as she notes, having a degree is necessary. The report goes on to paint a rather romantic and traditional picture of Umm Khaled and portrays her welcoming smile towards her clientele, adding that she never complains but comes to work every day with her Abaya which is worn out by the flames of her oven.  Her clientele is regular and loyal because of the quality of her products and her generosity as well as the solidarity of many who want to help her raise her children as her husband has become invalid after a health accident.
Source: Al-Safir 2 May 2014

Endeavour organized a roundtable last week and entitled “bet on small and medium enterprises of high growth in Lebanon” with the aim of encouraging business collaboration between these companies as suppliers to larger companies.  Participants in the event included, Eddie Maroun CEO and founder of “Anghami”, Jamil Qurbani, founder of “Green Studios”, Mohammad Rabah, founder of “ZRE”, Nadim Khater, Commercial Director of “Touch”, and Tarek Al-Saadi, CEO of Endeavour- Lebanon. “Executive” magazine Editor in Chief, and “Concept Capital” Head of board, Yasser Akkawi, moderated the discussion and highlighted a number of key points namely, first, the importance of large private sector companies working in collaboration with emerging companies, and second, the challenges that small and medium enterprises face in while trying to achieve partnerships with large businesses. Akkawi also pointed out to the service advantages that emerging companies can offer to large ones compared to large household names private companies.  The discussion also covered the common difficulties facing small, medium and large companies because of poor internet services, complicated administrative and governmental procedures and other obstacles.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 30 April 2014

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim, represented Prime Minister Tammam Salam, in inaugurating Beirut International Franchise Forum and Exhibition – BIFEX 2014 organized by the Lebanese Franchise Association LFA.  The event which is held under the auspices of the president of the Republic, Michel Suleiman, included an inaugural session followed by 4 working sessions and was attended by the President of the Lebanese Economic Organizations, Adnan Al Kassar, the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Angelina Eichhorst, IDAL Chairman and General Manager, Nabil Itani, and the Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon, Mohamed Chucair. The first working session, was marked by the launching of the national strategy to revive economic activity in main streets, while subsequent sessions will focus on economic diplomacy and external marketing of Lebanese products.

The Minister of Industry, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, highlighted in his keynote address the importance of the franchise sector which stimulates growth and investments and creates employment opportunities and pointed out to the deficit in the balance of trade and the importance of working towards increasing exports.  He also noted that the government should develop an economic policy which is clear on how it intends to address the current crisis. The Minister of Tourism, Michel Pharaon, who represented the President of the Republic, spoke about a plan that his Ministry will prepare for the summer and which will be announced within the coming few days.  Pharaon is expecting an improvement in his sector with the return of expatriates and tourists.

For his part, Hakim spoke about “Economic Resistance’ and noted that the salvation of the economy depends on everybody’s income and all should therefore bear the responsibility of the current crisis.  He called for taking measures which will stimulate investment, consumption, tourism and shopping in Lebanon.  Minister Mashnook noted that the GCC countries are reconsidering their travel warning of last year and he added that the government is putting in place a security plan for Beirut after Tripoli and the Beqaa and he hopes for good results.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Diyar, Al-Hayat, 30 April 2014

Six women judges swore oath yesterday at the Higher Shura Council presided by Judge Shukri Sader and with the attendance of the Council members and the president of the Institute of Judiciary Studies, Judge Nada Dakroub and the Institute director Suhail Abboud in addition to a number of chambers’ presidents within the Council.  The graduating women judges are Lama Ajaj Yaghi, Hiba Antoine Breidi, Caren Iskandar Amatouri, Rayan Ali Roummani, Michelle Melhem Mezher, Lama Adel Izrafel. After the ceremony, judge Sader addressed the new judge interns and told them that they are the new generation and will have to study for three years at the Institute.  Their training will include theoretical knowledge and they will also serve at the Council and will be distributed amongst the different Chambers so as to familiarize with the nature of their work.  He asked them to work along the line of their oath, to build their character, and to undertake life changes so as to be in harmony with the Council. Judge Sader hoped for a better future generation for the Council.  Judge Dakroub presented the curriculum of the Institute which includes training workshops, various meetings and conceptual learning.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 30 April 2014

The Beirut Arab University organized in its campus in Debbyeh the seventh edition of its job fair under the auspices of Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi.  The job fair hosted 51 companies working in different sectors namely finance, banking, health, engineering, industry, petroleum, and others… Representatives of these companies presented to the participating students those available jobs which match their specializations.  Represnetatives also gathered the CVs of the students.  The Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Adel el Kurdi, explained the objectives of this event namely to facilitate the matching between graduates and the job market and to introduce students to the needs of the job market as well as ensure that the University is contributing to meeting the needs of the local, regional and international job markets.
In his speech, the Minister of Labor lamented having to receive requests for work permits for foreigners at a time when capacities are available amongst the Lebanese and he called for giving priority to employing young Lebanese.  He called on the youth to revolt and challenge their parents and the political elite and to work to build their country.  The president of the University, Dr. Jalal Adoui, called on students and young people not to surrender to the presently difficult economic conditions but to arm themselves with hope and will and to find jobs as well as to gain communication skills in addition to their university degree.
Source: Al-Nahar 29 April 2014

As Safir newspaper published the story of Dalal (30 years) who refused to surrender and sued her husband for battery and attempted murder.  She said that she did not wish to become a number added in the list of abused women and did not want to be carried in a coffin.  Hence, she decided to speak out and she could no longer bear to remain silent.
Dalal noted that her 38 year old husband has been beating her for three months and started only three days after their marriage.  She said that she wanted to leave him immediately but her mother advised her to be patient.  However, his violence increased and became unbearable.  Last Saturday he kept beating her repeatedly and savagely whilst knocking her head on the wall and breaking her nose.  
After this incident, she called her brothers with whom she went to the police station in Borkayel and lodged a complaint against her husband.  The police told her that the abuser will be punished.  Her husband was called for interrogation on Sunday.  Meanwhile, Dalal sued for divorce at the religious court. Dalal simply wishes to have a divorce.  She adds that her husband is not human and does not deserve to raise children as he is harsh, aggressive and rude.  She noted that he wanted to go to the hospital where she works to cash her salary as he says this is his right!
Source: Al-Safir 29 April 2014

Ahluna organized a brunch for women including key social figures as well as supporters of the organizations.  The event was sponsored by Boecker and was held on Thursday April 24th at the Pavillion Royal Hotel.
Ahluna is a nonprofit NGO which was created in 2001 and focuses on providing social and educational services targeting women, youth, children, the elderly and individuals with special needs, and which operates in Saida.  The sponsor, Boecker, is the largest company in the Middle East providing products and services related to food safety, pest control and biological sanitation.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 29 April 2014

“All for the Industry” headed by Fady Gemayel won the elections at the Association of Lebanese Industrialists with a significant margin compared with its opponent, the “Industrial Decision” list headed by Ramez Bou Nader.  The elections were held last Saturday and the head of the winning list, Gemayel, described the process as distinguished by its sportsmanship competition and democratic spirit.  He called on all, notably the opposition list, to join forces against their major challenge namely protecting the rights of industrialists, developing the local industry, creating a conducive environment, opening new markets and making best use of existing capabilities.
Former president of the Association, Nehmat Ephram, spoke of the achievements made during his mandate between 2010 and 2014.  He added that despite the difficult circumstances during that period as well as the stalemate at the public and political level, the membership increased from 656 to 743 members during that period. The Committee of the New Association met after the declaration of the results and the internal elections were conducted as follows: Fady Gemayel President, Ziad Bikdash first deputy, George Nasraoui second deputy, Khalil Sherri secretary-general, Nazareth Sabounjian financial secretary, Mounir Bissat external-relations secretary, as well as Walid Assaf and Shawki Dakkash and Adnan Ataya and Michel Daher as members.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Akhbar, Al-Nahar 28 April 2014

The Women Branch of the Future Movement organized last week, in its offices in Beirut, a training workshop on the party’s vision for building the state and in relation to women’s right in political and public life. The coordinator of the Women Branch, Afifa al Sayyed, outlined the obstacles which limit women’s political participation namely legal obstacles and the absence of empowerment, political obstacles such as the absence of democracy and the predominant tribal and confessional mindset, poor participation of women in political parties and in other political structures.  Al Sayed also noted the economic obstacles such as poverty, high unemployment amongst women as well as obstacles that are specific to women such as their limited political experience and high illiteracy rates amongst women (including legal illiteracy).  She added that women’s political participation could be encouraged through working to change stereotypical roles and well as predominant mindsets as well as adopting positive discrimination such as the quota system.  The responsible of the cultural committee of the women’s branch, Mai Tabbal, lectured about the modern state and its main characteristics and elements.  She added that the vision of the Future Movement is based on the principle of a sovereign state free from any for of tutelage.  She also spoke about the history of the Lebanese state and the role of the Ta2ef agreement in ending the civil war.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 28 April 2014

The General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis La7hud, undertook a reconnaissance visit to the Masnaa border post last week.  During his visit, La7hud noted that the priorities of the Ministry is to ensure the quality of exported products and to work towards improving the quality of local agricultural production namely in terms of adherence to the standards and criteria of the World Health Organisation.  He added that any exported product is subjected to lab tests, most of which are free of charge, and are undertaken at the laboratories of the Ministry or those affiliated to the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institutes.  This procedure, he added, is non negotiable. Finally, La7hud also reiterated the importance of food safety as this has a positive impact on exports and is likely t open new markets for local health agricultural products.  He concluded by giving strict instructions for strengthening the import and export of agricultural products so as to ensure the safety of consumers in Lebanon.
Source: Al-Safir 28 April 2014