News

The issue of the commitment of the food industry to quality and safety standards remains in discussion especially following the waves created by the usage of Natamycin in some Labneh products.  The Minister of Industry, Hussein Hajj Hassan, had reiterated the importance of Labneh as a special Lebanese food product and confirmed that the aim of the state is to correct wrongs and not close any factory.  He noted that the role of the state is to monitor, control and regulate and not to denigrate as this is not suitable for the economy or the industry.  Hajj Hassan was speaking at a meeting convened yesterday to follow up the steps and actions taken to ensure safety and quality of food products.  The meeting was attended by the Director Generals of the Ministries of Industry, Agriculture, and Economy and Trade in addition to representatives of the Ministry of Public Health and the Centre of Industrial Research as well as supermarket owners and the Lebanese Dairy Council and dairy producers.
Hajj Hassan said that Labneh requires special care during the production cycle including packaging, warehousing and distribution in addition to the need for maintaining specific standards in the cold chain.  He highlighted that the role of the Ministry of Industry and of the Industrialists Union is confined to what enter and what leaves the factory/production unit.  Traders are responsible for maintaining the cold chain.  He asked that Industrialists show a clear reference on the cold temperature required on their product and so as to relieve themselves of responsibility related to warehousing by commercial institutions.
Source: Al-Safir 15 April 2014

The NGO Committee to follow-up on women’s issues launched last week the fourth parallel CEDAW report which addresses the implementation of CEDAW.  The launch took place during a press conference held by the organization at the Press Syndicate.  The report which was prepared by the organization with financial support from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, mentions 18 recommendations related to policies and mechanisms that ought to be adopted in order to improve the status of women in Lebanon namely: lifting all reservations on CEDAW, abolishing all forms of discrimination in the nationality law, adopting a civil family code, endorsing the law to protect women from violence, reforming the penal code namely the articles that discriminate against women, endorsing the ILO conventions, enacting a law to protect migrant and refugee women and abolishing trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The Presiding of the organization, Fahmieh Charafeddine, presented the report and noted that it is based on progress made since 2008 and that its preparation was in collaboration with civil society. The report looks closely at advances since then especially at the legislative and executive levels and underlines the struggle of women and civil movements for equality.  She added that the report also looks at areas requiring improvement and intervention by state and non-state actors and which should be discussed by the CEDAW committee.

To access the full report, please go to the following link.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal, 14 April 2014

During a workshop held last week, the president of the real estate promoter in Lebanon, Nmeir Cortas, defended his economic sector requesting that it is no longer considered as the weak link. The workshop which focused on in-depth investigation of challenges and solutions for the real estate sector was an opportunity for the participants to insist on the important role that their sector plays in investments in Lebanon. They considered that any lull in this sector will reflect negatively on the overall economy.
Cortas who called for a fixed and fair taxation system pointed out during the workshop that the real estate sector has developed as the interests of owners who were given primacy over that of investors.  He went on to say that contribution of this sector in the national economy has reached 25% thus placing it amongst the highest contributors to the economy.  Cortas pointed out that currently there are projects of a total values estimated in billions of dollars.  Cortas addressed the government and the relevant ministries and noted that the policy t tax this sector heavily is unacceptable and he warned that the various taxes that are hitting promoters from various parts will have negative repercussions namely increasing the cost of owning real estate thus depriving the Lebanon from their right to own houses.  He concluded by pointing out to the present gap in the market in terms of housing unit, as the shortage now has gone up to 80000 units and is bound to increase.
Source: Al-Hayat, Al-Safir, NNA, 14 April 2014

In preparation for the upcoming tourist summer season, the town of Ehden has completed the first phase of refurbishment which is implemented in collaboration with the Zghorta-Ehden municipality and with the financial support of the European Union.  The municipal head, Tawfiq Moawwad, clarified that this activity is part of a comprehensive initiative entitled “Ehden’s Mayday is a window to our history and a hope to our future” and will be completed by next summer.  Moawwad also pointed out that the refurbishment plan covers the whole square including the historical church of Mar Mama and reaching the Saint George cathedral and will include the front windows of several shops as well as old stone buildings which have become restaurants and cafes in addition to upgrading the infrastructure and stone pavements and finally installing a lighting system that is harmonious with the traditional style of the town.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, 14 April 2014

The Azem arts and crafts school, “Azem Zaman”, inaugurated last week its annual exhibition entitled “Tripoli Loves Life”.  The exhibition takes place at the Azem cultural centre “Bayt el Fann” in Mina with the presence and under the auspices of Ms. May Mikati, the former PM’s wife.  In her opening address, Mikati expressed her admiration of the exhibition and the products and work of the graduates of the Azem arts and crafts school.  She also highlighted the importance of empowering young women and men at all levels as the nation needs the creative potentials of young people.
A number of NGOs and institutions from North Lebanon are taking part in this event namely the Safadi Foundation, l’Artisan du Liban, Fista centre for special education, Wa7hat al Fara7h for individuals with special needs and others.  The event seeks to strengthen cultural events in Tripoli as well as helps the students of Azem arts and crafts school in marketing their products as well as opens new opportunities and horizons for them.
Source: Al-Diyar 14 April 2014

Despite the statement last week by the director general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud, during a meeting convened by the gathering of Bekaa Farmers at the Chamber of Trade, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and the Beqaa, that the Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the issue of compensation to farmers, in its meeting of April 8th, however, the minutes of the meeting which were published online did not include any reference to this matter.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the agricultural sector in the Beqaa has suffered major from losses in this year’s harvest as a result of frost which hit the area during the month of March and became known as the “black death”.  Indeed, damages have affected 70 to 90% of the harvest according to estimations by experts and as per the statement of the head of the Popular Bloc, Elias Skaf.  Skaf added that the government remains absent to date and has failed to do anything to compensate farmers and to allow them to overcome this tough period.  He called on the government to work seriously and promptly to provide urgent financial help to farmers in the Beqaa.
Source: Al-Nahar 11 April 2014

To read the minutes of the Cabinet meeting of April 8th 2014, go to: Cabinet’s MoM

For more information about the frost disaster and its drastic consequences, please refer to the news piece that was published previously on the WEEPortal, entitled:
Farmers of North Lebanon and Beqaa seek government compensation for frost damages and await the decision of the Cabinet, on 9/4/2014

The Progressive Women Union and the Organisation of Progressive Youth organized yesterday a discussion session entitled: “Violence, discrimination against women and religious family laws” at the premises of the Progressive Socialist Party in Beirut.  The event was attended by the PWU president, Wafa Abed and the Director of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Joumana Merhi.  The latter spoke about various aspects domestic violence and violence against women and particularly those caused by religious family laws.  She emphasized the important role that political parties can play in promoting the rights of women and the in demanding the adoption of a unified civil family law. Marwa Abi Farraj of the Organisation of Progressive Youth spoke of the insights and perspectives of young people towards social, economic and political roles of women especially in Arab countries that have witnessed revolts.
Source: Al-Safir 11 April 2014

The Daily Star newspaper published an interview today with Gilbert Ghostine, president of Diageo Asia Pacific.  The interview focused on what is known as “Plan W”, the company’s women economic empowerment programme which was launched in Lebanon recently.
Ghostine highlighted that Plan W, an international initiative, seeks to empower women through learning, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship.  In Lebanon, the project focuses on three main areas, namely: communication, accounting and leadership. He added that Lebanon’s programme, in collaboration with the local NGO Entraide Professionelle, targets all Lebanese women particularly those living in rural areas. Ghostine indicated that Plan W launched its pilot programme in Zahle, where more than 170 women have received training to start or develop their small-scale business plans.  He added that the Programme is then moving to Batroun and will continue all over the country.
It is worth mentioning that Plan W programme was conceived in 2012 as a corporate social responsibility CSR initiative worth $10 million, with a target to empower 2 million women by 2017 across 13 Asian countries. Diageo is an alcoholic beverage company selling household names such as Smirnoff, Johnny Walker and Tanqueray and it is the only alcoholic beverage company to sign the U.N. Women’s Empowerment Principles.  Furthermore, Diageo inaugurated its WE Journalism awards this year, which honor those in the media world who’ve fought for women’s empowerment.
Source: The Daily Star 10 April 2014

The Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) organized a press conference last Tuesday to share the results of the national franchising industry study implemented by the organization with a Euro 160000 grant from the European Union.  The event was attended the EU ambassador to Lebanon, Angelina Eichhorst, and was held under the auspices of the Minister of Economy and Trade, Alain Hakim.

The president of LFA, Charles Arbid, shared the result of the study which was based on a field survey covering hundreds of businesses across Lebanon and which showed that franchises enjoy an important share of 4% in the GDP with a total value of USD 1.5 billion, compared to 2% for the EU and 5% in the USA. The study also indicated that the franchise sector employs 100000 individuals, while the number of franchises in Lebanon reached 1100 units, which operate some  5500 selling points, concentrated mostly in Beirut followed by Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon.  The study also showed that GCC countries are the main export market for franchises (75%) whilst the EU came second with 44%.

Eichhorst noted for her part that 53% of investors, local and international companies are afraid to invest in Lebanon because of the present security situation.  She called on the Lebanese authorities to support the private sector through protecting Lebanese products so that it is able to compete in international markets.  She criticized the fact that a number of legislations related to illegal competition are still pending either in the Cabinet or in parliament including laws on intellectual property and the protection of trade relations.  She also reiterated declared her support to Lebanon’s membership in the World Trade Organisation.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Hayat, Al-Nahar 9 April 2014

Farmers from North Lebanon and the Beqaa organized a sit-in last Sunday in the village of Sha3t in the Beqaa in response to a call by the Federation of Syndicates of Lebanese Farmers in Lebanon and the Regional Cooperative Union in the Beqaa.  Farmers protested the negligence of the state vis-à-vis their losses resulting from the recent frost which hit the region last Monday.  Farmers called on the government to proceed with a speedy assessment of damages followed by direct compensations as well as the set up of an insurance fund for natural disasters as a precautionary measure. Thaer Zoughaib spoke on behalf of the Union of Farmers’ Syndicates and noted that the frost  wave have caused a disaster in the agricultural sector which hit fruit trees, greenhouses and field crops and where damages ranged between 70 to 100%.  Within the same vein, farmers in Akkar expressed similar discontent vis-à-vis consecutive losses they are bearing this year as a result of climatic disturbances.  Potato farmers in Akkar suffered major losses (more than 80% of their annual production) as a result of frost damages.  Abdulhamid Sakr, a member of the Farmers Federation in Lebanon, noted that a popular and wide ranging mobilization will be undertaken by farmers, especially potato formers in Akkar in coordination with the local municipalities in order to address the situation.

To be noted that the Gathering of Beqaa Farmers had organized a meeting last week at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahleh and the Beqaa to discuss the disaster caused by frost disaster.  The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud, the Minister of Industry, Hussein Hajj Hassan, as well as a number of local MPs, farmers, and heads of Farmers’ Syndicates in the Beqaa.  Hajj Hussein noted that the first step of the government should be to mandate the army and the higher relief council to set up assessment commissions to survey damages using speedy and accurate mechanisms and tools.  He called on farmers not to exaggerate their losses because if figures are deemed too high, this will force the cabinet to reduce compensations.  On a related vein, the Parliamentary Commission for Agriculture met last Monday to discuss the same issue.  Its recommendations were referred to the Cabinet who is due to discuss them shortly.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-mustaqbal 8 April 2014