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Endeavors to support domestic industry, agriculture

18-6-2019

The president of the Lebanese Industrialists Association (LIA), Fadi Gemayel, stressed yesterday that the value of Lebanese exports which stood at USD 4 and half billion in 2011, has declined to USD 2 billion today, noting that the local industry boasts real capacities to stimulate economic growth. Gemayel, who was speaking during a joint ministerial-parliamentary meeting with industrialists, pointed to the mission accomplished with the new budget in terms of the approval of quality fees on 20 commodities (https://lkdg.org/ar/node/18528). He explained that the reduction of nearly USD one billion in the trade deficit is offset by the provision of some 20,000 jobs directly, and 44,000 indirectly, based on recent UNIDO reports. For his part, the minister of industry, Wael Abu Faour, revealed that meeting parties agreed to form a parliamentary bloc supportive of the industry and other productive sectors. The aim of the committee is to keep up with the financial and economic debate in the Legislature and bolster the protection of industry through introducing new protectionist diktats in the budget to fight dumping. On the other hand, the minister of agriculture, Hassan Lakiss, said on June 15, repeatedly said that protecting domestic production is the prime goal of his ministry. Lakiss, who was speaking during the internal conference of the General Union of Agricultural Syndicates, added, that smuggling poses a great threat to the local agricultural production. He disclosed under-the-table meetings between the Lebanese and Syrian ministries of public works to resolve the issue of high customs enforced on Lebanese export trucks. He revealed that a delegation of his ministry visited Syria as part of its key role to facilitate the marketing of domestic produce which was hampered for years. Lakiss clarified that his ministry has lifted restrictions on the export of Lebanese agricultural production in order to balance supply and demand in the interest of both farmers and consumers. (Al Diyar, June 16, 18, 2019)

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Summer of 2019: Cherry festival in Hammana

18-6-2019

For the 13th consecutive year, the Municipality of Hammana organized on Sunday the Hammana Cherry Festival at the town’s square. On the occasion, mayor Fadi Salibi underlined the importance of the festival which is indicative of the country’s agricultural legacy, as well as the authenticity of the cherry tree and its contribution to the town’s economy. “This beautiful day helps in marketing the production of cherries in Hammana and the environs,” Salibi maintained. “It is a bright beginning for the summer season and a transition period to promote rural and environmental, and even religious, tourism in Hammana,” he added. The festival, Salibi concluded, is a key catalyst in motivating the local youth to engage in public affairs and to contribute their capacities in the development and advancement of their towns. (Al Akhbar, June 18, 2019)

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Wafaa Berri Haj is again a member of IFADEM

18-6-2019

The Francophone University Agency (L’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, AUF) and the Institute of Francophonie for Education and Training (IFEF) selected Lebanese University professor, Wafaa Berri Haj for the second time as member in the Francophone Initiative for Remote Training of Masters (IFADEM). The initiative includes 8 international experts in educational planning and engineering and the setting up of university curricula in more than 15 countries worlwide. To recall, in 2014, Haj had received the Order of the French Academic Palms from the rank of officer at a ceremony held at the French Embassy in Beirut. (Al Akhbar, June 18, 2019)

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Regulating foreign workers and countering illegal employment

17-6-2019

Following the launch by the labor minister of a comprehensive plan to regulate illegal workforce in the country (https://bit.ly/2Fb2Yxe), the labor minister Kamil Abu Sleiman stressed on June 15, that the directive by his ministry is not an advice to employers to settle their conditions, but a law that will be implemented after the one-month ultimatum period ends. While clarifying that the above plan does not target any specific nationality, Abu Sleiman said it is ridiculous to say that there are only 700,000 registered Syrian workers in the country while hundreds of thousands are working illegally. He pressed for a strict and systematic but humanitarian approach to put the law in force, reminding that illegal workers are not outlaws and criminals, but people seeking work. “We are adamant that the law will be enforced, but are not inciting any social and humanitarian ramifications,” he maintained. For its part, Al Akhbar daily wrote that the main hitch in the local labor market is not foreign workforce, but the informal labor estimated at more than half the labor force in Lebanon. It said that the above plan promoted under the banner of control instead of regulation, will only aggravate hatred and anger against the displaced Syrians. On the other hand, the head of the Notary Council, Joseph Bsharah, explained that the employment or work contract for foreign workers in Lebanon is now available in 8 languages: French, English, Nepalese, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Sri Landan and Malagasy. This will allow migrant workers to learn better their rights and duties. Bsharah said the idea came to his mind first to personally assist a significant group of marginalized persons, but that after the backing it received from the labor ministry and the ILO, it turned to reality four months ago. The multi-lingual contract is currently found at 20 notaries, but will later be distributed to 230 notary offices, noting that it includes videos for those who cannot read. (Al Akhbar, Al Diyar, June 15, 17, 2019)

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Lebanon among the worst countries in terms of women's rights

17-6-2019

The director of the Arab Institute for Women (LAU), Dr. Lina Abi Rafeh, told L’Orient Le Jour on the sidelines of the Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Canada (https://bit.ly/2Kn1KTQ), that Lebanon is among the worst 10 countries worldwide in women’s rights. She regretted the absence of political commitment to promote women in Lebanon and the Arab world. Abi Rafeh maintained that the Lebanese woman is incapable of taking any decision inside the household due to the prevalent patriarchal rules controlling everything, including personal status. She strongly criticized the phenomenon of child marriage and the deprivation of the right of Lebanese women married to non-Lebanese to grant citizenship to their family members. She also condemned tabooing any talk about reproductive and sexual health, as well as abortion. The political participation of women in the country is small, she said, pointing to the presence of 6 female MPs and 4 cabinet ministers, which is inadequate, as she said. Abi Rafeh pointed out that the Lebanese women do not have any rights, and not forgetting to mention inequality in rights between men and women in the country, she deplored the discrete discrimination between women based on their sectarian affiliations. Furthermore, she voiced fear about the future of women’s rights in Lebanon, stating that the solution lies in the empowerment of women on a personal level, especially given the absence of clear notions on women’s rights and the lack of parity in the school curricula to this effect. Abi Rafeh concluded by saying, that improving the conditions and status of women in Lebanon cannot rely on individual initiatives, stating that when laws are rigid, change must come from the grassroots. (L’Orient Le Jour, June 17, 2019)

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Countess of Wessex in Beirut addresses gender-based sexual violence

17-6-2019

Countess of Wessex, Princess Sophie, concluded her two-day visit to Lebanon this month, accompanied by British minister Tarek Ahmad-Lord Wimbledon representing the prime minister, with the aim to address the prevention of sexual violence in conflict zones. A statement by the British Embassy in Beirut said the visit is the first official visit by a member of the Royal family to Lebanon. It reflects her strong commitment to women’s empowerment issues, promoting the culture of tolerance and combating the phenomenon of sexual violence based on gender in conflict areas. The Countess heard about efforts made by charities and NGOs in support of vulnerable communities, particularly children and women. The Embassy statement went on to say, that Princess Sophie visited Syrian refugees in the Beqaa settlements where she met a number of housewives who briefed her on their daily living conditions. In Baysur, the Countess met with Lebanese and Syrian women participating in UNDP mechanisms for achieving social stability, and joined discussions with Syrian NGOs working to improve the participation of women in the peace process. She also visited a shelter run by Caritas to support survivors of sexual violence. (Al Diyar, June 15, 2019)

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Nationality Campaign: Bassil’s “Guide” ignores Lebanese women’s fundamental rights

14-6-2019

During the Lebanese Diaspora Energy conference held in Beirut on June 7, the foreign minister Gibran Bassil launched so-termed ‘Nationality Guide’. The latter sets four rules to acquire the Lebanese citizenship in order to help expatriates of Lebanese origin to restore it. Bassil said he hoped the four terms will become five by passing a law that respects the preamble of the Constitution in terms of preventing permanent resettlement and granting citizenship to the children of Lebanese women married to non-Lebanese. Commenting on the above initiative, the coordinator of My Nationality is A Right for Me and My Children Campaign, Karima Shebbo said in an interview with Al Modon electronic portal, that the correct phrasing, if Bassil was serious, should be “we are working” not “hoping”. She reminded the minister of Articles 1 and 7 of the Constitution which call for equality between citizens before the law in duties and responsibilities. On Bassil’s talk about concerns and fears of demographic change in the country pertaining to the presence of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, Shebbo reiterated what she said earlier, that the right cannot be divided and should not be adulterated with racism and sectarianism. Citing Bassil’s recent proposal on granting citizenship to children of Lebanese mothers married to non-Lebanese while excepting nationals of neighboring states, she pointed out that My Nationality Campaign is not against Lebanese immigrants reclaiming their nationality, but that Lebanese women living in Lebanon should have the urgency, especially that they have been suffering the repercussions of the unfair and bigoted laws in effect. Shebbo warned that the Campaign will intensify its actions across Lebanon in preparation for the upcoming move to pressure for referring the two nationality amendment drafts to the parliamentary committees. Recalling, the said proposals were respectively submitted by MPs Hadi Abul Hosn and Rola Tabsh. (Al Modon, June 13, 2019)

 

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First edition of French award for entrepreneurship

14-6-2019

In cooperation with the Smart Ecole Superieure des Affaires (ESA) Incubator and the Alumni of HEC Paris, L’Orient Le Jour, the Beirut Chamber of Commerce and ESA launched the first edition of HEC Entrepreneur Award in a press conference held in Beirut. The competition is open to all startups in Lebanon and beyond. Recalling, that HEC is a prestigious French college that graduates entrepreneurs in business and trade. During the event, L’Orient Le Jour executive director, Michel Hilou, outlined the terms of the competition, noting that it targets emerging enterprises in the creation phase or that have been set up less than 24 months, provided that their product is under development with a capital of less than USD 500,000. Hilou explained that the award will be granted to the most promising project in terms of innovation and potential for growth, globally in particular, in addition to its long term viability and profitability. Online registration (www.lorientlejour.com/prix-hec) has started yesterday and will continue until July 15. The winner will be selected at the closing ceremony in November 2019 during which finalists will present their projects to a panel of experts. The president of HEC France, Jean Paul Vermes said that despite all the constraints that entrepreneurs face in Lebanon as elsewhere, the desire to do business remains alive. For his part, the Lebanese minister of telecommunications, Mohamad Shucair, stressed the need to promote and boost entrepreneurship as a way to rescue the ailing country. (L’Orient Le Jour, June 14, 2019)

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Tyre International Festivals from July 18-20

14-6-2019

In the presence of the tourism minister, Avedis Guidanian, the head of the Tyre and South International Festival Committee, Randa Berri, announced yesterday the launch of the Tyre and South International Festival for 2019 from July 18 until July 20. Despite the dire economic situation in the country, Berri said, the Committee will not cop out this year, but will limit the event to two musical nights performed the Lebanese Arab singers, Rami Ayash and Melhem Zein. She pointed out that one year after the 2018 Festivals which took place at the Beaufort Castle, the Committee has to date not received any allocations from the ministry of tourism due to bureaucratic procedures and other factors. Due to the difficult economic conditions, she bluntly said the Committee is  facing the challenge of either withdrawing or staying steadfast in Tyre, the icon of victory and resurrection. Similarly, Guidanian stressed that the Tyre Festival is a key promoter for tourism, and therefore, holding the festival in a particular location has a prolonged effect. (Al Diyar, June 14, 2019)
 
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Van driver harasses two young women in Southern Suburbs

13-6-2019

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces- Public Relations Department said in a statement yesterday that, on 24/5/2019, two young women took a van used for public transport from Laylaki in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut. On the way, the driver changed the course of the destination and drove to Araya, a hilltop overlooking the capital, where he sexually assaulted the girls before he returned them to Kafaat neighborhood and disappeared afterwards. The statement went on to say, that upon tracking and surveillance, the Judiciary Police Special Squad successfully hunted down and arrested the suspect on 11/6/2019 in the Ras Beirut neighborhood of Hamra. The squad also busted an amount of drugs in the vehicle and the convict was referred to the Baabda Judiciary Unit for legal follow-up. (Al Mustaqbal, June 13, 2019)
 

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