Four industrial
cities announced

New industrial indicator program to be launched

The Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) announced the launch of four model industrial cities, during a meeting for industrialists in Le Royal Hotel, on February 17.

The eco-friendly, country-wide industrial cities will be equipped with a developed infrastructure, including sewage systems, water treatment, telecom services, and roads with urban planning. They are expected to create 20,000 job opportunities in rural areas.

The project has been assigned four prominent business figures to head the development of each city. Nehmat Frem, Head of ALI will establish an industrial city in Jezzine. Khalil Zantout will establish one in Nabatieh, Wissam Achour will establish another in Zahrani, and Michel Daher will establish the last in Terbol, Bekaa.

Frem said: “A partnership should be implemented with the public sector, as per the decree issued in 2005 about establishing a higher council for industrial cities.” He said that the council has not yet been formed due to the current working circumstances with the authorities.

ALI also announced other projects such as the launch of a new program for measuring industrial indicators, as well as offering incentives for investors. It also announced that it will develop the Lebanon Industry Guide, and will confirm its partnership in social responsibility with the International Labor Organization.

The new program for measuring industrial indicators is supported by Banque Libano-Française (BLF). The program will measure industrial production, including exports, consumption, added value, labor in the industrial sector, the cost of production and industrial investments. The indicators will cover all the regions and sectors and will be issued on quarterly and yearly bases, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance.