The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Ministry of Industry launched an initiative to support host communities’ productive capacities in areas affected by the high influx of refugees.

The project will support small industries in Bekaa region in different economic sectors such as furniture, textile, metal works and aluminum. Nada Baraka, National Project Coordinator of UNIDO, said: “We are in the process of setting the standards for choosing the companies that will benefit from this project.” The Ministry in cooperation with UNIDO will choose the companies.

The Government of Japan allocated $600,000 to finance the project, slated for completion in March 2015.

“The host communities in these regions are particularly poor, and unable to achieve a minimum standard of living,” said Christiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative in Lebanon.

This support will be dedicated for purchase of equipment which will enhance the companies’ competitiveness locally and internationally. Capacity building activities will be conducted for the Syrian refugees and local industrialists allowing the exchange of industrial expertise between the two communities through training workshops. They will focus on youth entrepreneurship and woman productive capacities. 

UNIDO will work to improve their production capacity to be able to respond to market demand, while generating livelihood support and economic opportunities for both themselves and the Syrian refugees.