79 illegal factories to close
due to license violations

72 additional companies issued warning

due to environmental violations

The Ministry of Industry has decided to close 79 illegal factories that are still operating without licenses, after several warnings were issued to 117 factories to get licensed, 38 of which complied.

“We support the ministry in the decision taken to close illegal factories. We are against the illegal economy,” said Fadi Gemayel, Chairman of the Association of Industrialists.

The ministry has also warned 261 licensed factories to comply with environmental standards, of which 189 have taken steps to comply. The remaining 72 are still violating environmental regulations, and are polluting the Litani River. They too risk closure if they don’t follow health and environmental regulations.

Factories that are polluting are given time to make appropriate changes to comply with environmental laws.