Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i Lebanon Opportunities

GREEN LOANS SUBJECT TO NEW CONDITIONS A new set of technical eligibility criteria for National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action (NEEREA) loans has been announced. The criteria were finalized by the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) based on a request from the Central Bank (BDL). Mazen Halawi, Deputy Director of the financing unit at BDL said: “Real estate development is one the main reasons behind changing the criteria.” Property developers are one of the biggest applicants of NEEREA loans. BDL is concerned that the loans it is offering them are not being used as first intended. He said: “We need to impose strict rules over developers and have better monitoring of their implementation of the loans.” Halawi said: “Major changes will be specifically targeting the criteria of green…

The supply of healthy food at affordable prices to all is becoming increasingly difficult for many of the country’s regions. This has been further exacerbated by poverty, inequality, and the inflow of Syrian refugees. The country is also dependent on imports and has low agricultural production rates. Diets are changing and people are moving toward a Western diet. This has resulted in foodrelated health issues. These issues have been detailed and analyzed in the report ‘Strategic Review of Food and Nutrition Security in Lebanon’, which was prepared by the United Nation’s Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and published in May. The report contains three complementary topics: Food safety and hygiene, the availability and security of food, and eating habits. But it is not all gloom and doom.…

Salaries for middle- to high-level employees are steady, according to a comprehensive Salary Scale Survey conducted by InfoPro Research this year. The Survey compares figures to the 2012 InfoPro Salary Scale Survey and covers 12 business sectors. The conclusions show that on average top managerial salaries have remained stable during the past four years, with an increase not exceeding ten percent in some active sectors. Companies are postponing their expansion plans, which prohibits them from creating competition for candidates. The general trend among companies seems to be along the lines of trying to manage without replacing the employees who have left or are leaving, therefore, adding new tasks to the remaining employees. ACTIVE SECTORS A few sectors are still providing job opportunities. These are mainly related to retail, FMCG, IT,…

Several travel and tourism agencies are expanding their business and opening branches nationwide. Agencies that rely on outgoing tourists are witnessing better results than those that are counting on incoming tourists for a significant part of their turnover. There has been an exodus of highly trained managers and supervisors. Because of this, there is a high demand for this category in the employment market place. RETAINING THE PROS Travel consultants are the most demanded positions in agencies. This term comprises a wide range of key positions: Ticketing, flight and hotel reservation, travel packaging, and tour operators. The job of a travel consultant encompasses offering clients the best package options to their chosen destination, dealing with the suppliers, hotels, and setting the prices. “High caliber managers and supervisors are rarely found.…

Salaries in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector have increased, especially among the senior management level, including the key position of brand managers. Charles Maamar, HR Manager at Zoghzoghi Group, a distributor of international food brands, said: “Functional positions like human resources, administration, and maintenance are a cost to the company. But operational positions like distribution and marketing, which bring in the money, have a bigger responsibility, and thus better salaries.” THE RIGHT FIT Wholesalers are searching for qualified personnel who possess a strong character and have experience in different sectors. Fattal, a major wholesaler, is always on the lookout for top-tier brand managers. Brand managers acquire most of their experience at local wholesale companies before moving on to the next company. Jacqueline Moukhaiber, the Group’s HR Manager, said:…

Industrial companies are still managing to create employment opportunities despite the recent nosedive in exports and, according to industrialists, a drop in profits. Such companies are seeking more qualified and specialized people, as well as marketing professionals to help increase sales and turnover. Job applicants number in the thousands but they rarely have the skills that match the industry for which the job is being advertised. Following international trends, salaries for managerial positions remain stable but have increased for skilled labor and accountants. Employers said one reason for this is that there is a shortage of vocational and technical graduates. SPECIALISTS REQUIRED Industrial companies are creating employment opportunities for a workforce that is different than the one that is available. At times, employers are unable to find the right candidate…

CADILLAC XT5 6 cylinder, 3.6 liter, 310 HP, 8 speed automatic, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Electrical Power Steering, Electric Parking Brake, CUE Information and Media Control System, 8” information display, Natural Voice Recognition, Wireless Charging $65,890 Luxury $74,800 Premium $80,300 CITROEN C4 Aircross 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter, 6 speed transmission, Antilock Brake System, Electronic Brake Pressure Distribution, Brake Assist, NaviDrive $31,500 BMW X1 xDrive 20i 4 cylinder, 2.0 liter, 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic, Anti-Lock Braking System, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control, X Drive System, Tinted Glass, Central Lock, Runflat Tyre with Runflat Indicator, Brake Force Display $46,900 FORD Explorer 6 cylinder, 3.5 liter, 290 HP, 6 speed with paddle shifters, Terrain Management System, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, 4.2”…

Arab Cultural Club Hamra, Abed el Aziz Blg, Beirut Tel: (01) 345.948 Fax: (01) 351.847 info@arabculturalclub.com E-Square Damascus Road BLOM Bldg, 1st Floor, Baabda Tel: (05) 456.745, Fax: (05) 456.746 info@esquareme.com, www.esquareme.com Eventions Tel: (01) 280.085 Mobile: (03) 260.986 info@eventionslb.com www.vinifestlebanon.com Institut français Mathaf, Damascus Road, Beirut Tel: (01) 420.272 Fax: (01) 420.200 www.Beirut.com Promofair Media Center II, 5th Floor, Accaoui, Beirut Tel: (01) 561.600/1/2/3/4 Fax: (01) 561.605 info@promofair.com.lb www.promofair.com.lb The MBA Tour 73 Junction Square Dr. Concord, MA 01742 Tel: 978-451-4200, Fax: 978-451-4201 www.thembatour.com Weddings Mall Hazmieh, Roundabout, Beirut Mobile: (03) 824.364 Fax: (05) 550.662 info@royalweddingfair.com www.weddingsmall.com Whisky Live Warsaw, Poland damian@whiskylive.com www.whiskylive.com…

SAIDA TO REORGANIZE 1.4 MILLION SQUARE METER LAND Saida Municipality is working on a plan to partition and merge land measuring 1,400,000 m2 on the city’s eastern borders. Investment required for the project is estimated at $50 million. “The land includes agricultural lots that were not being exploited by their owners,” said Mohammad Saoudi, Mayor of Saida. The Municipality will work on establishing roads, infrastructure, and landscaping. Saoudi said that the land, which is equal to a quarter the size of Saida, will be partitioned into plots on which residential apartments and retail outlets can be developed. He also said that the Municipality has obtained initial approval from the Islamic Development Bank to secure a loan to fund the project. Mustafa Fawaz Engineering & Designs Office has already conducted the…

The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) has launched the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) 2016-2020. The targets to be reached have taken the year 2010 as a baseline. The Government vowed at the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009 to have 12 percent of the current energy consumption replaced by renewable energy. The strategy is expected to cost both the private and public sectors $1.7 billion and relies chiefly on studies by the Country Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program (CEDRO), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and French firm Sogreah. MAIN TARGET The strategy’s main goal is to have the energy output from renewable energy reach 767 kilotons of oil equivalent. This means that renewable energy produced by 2020 would spare the import of 767 kilo tons of fuel oil.…

Salaries in the construction sector are slightly up. But hiring is not. The search for specialized engineers and architects has become easier due to a high number of job applicants. According to Maroun Helou, Chairman of Syndicate of Public Works Contractors, advanced and diversified specializations in architecture and engineering have helped the property market mature. Hiring engineers with experience abroad is preferred, especially if they have worked in the Gulf. Incentives for the workforce in this sector include raises and project-basis bonuses. SALARY EVOLUTION There has been little change in the salaries of key positions within the construction sector during the past four years. At a 12 percent increase, construction managers have seen the highest salary increase. This is in line with a manager’s extensive duties. Hassan Jaafar, Deputy General…

There are many roles to consider in the insurance sector, with actuaries, or risk experts, being one of the most important ones. This sector offers a high number of opportunities for junior candidates, with a high percentage of available positions reportedly aimed at this level. Salaries are on an upward trajectory, which according to Marwan Mikdad, HR Manager at Arabia Insurance, are in line with the market’s movement. The sector is working with universities in order to close the gap between the skillsets taught and the skillsets actually required, in order for freshly graduated recruits to be successful in the ‘real world’. WIDESPREAD GROWTH Salary increases are prevalent in both junior and senior positions. The highest increases are related to IT managers, junior actuaries, and accountant positions. Raed Labaki, Chief…

Hotels are putting great efforts into recruiting qualified people who can best represent the hotel’s spirit and image. Demand for entry and junior level staff is ongoing, despite figures published revealing that national occupancy rates are decreasing. Most hotels recruit to replace employees who have left, as opposed to creating new additional openings. Universities provide the basic requirements in hospitality studies, but hotels still provide in-house training at specific standards for fresh graduates, especially for international hotel chains. Hotels have continued to increase some salaries during the past four years. Better incentives are also being offered for the upper management in order to attract or retain talented employees. SITUATIONS VACANT Demand for upper management positions is less than that of junior level positions. “Turnover in managerial positions is not high,”…

Just because winter is about keeping out the cold, it does not mean that fashion should go by the wayside. Scarves, hats, gloves, and a multitude of other accessories that standout this fall-winter season are a closet must-have. “Scarves are an essential accessory for men because they add a special touch to their winter look,” said Janis Sarraf, brand manager at Malia Moda, agents of Paul and Shark. While a pair of mid-century style leather gloves promise instant elegance for a special occasion, a tech-centric world has forced designers to produce gloves that are touch-screen friendly. WRAPPING UP Scarves were seen at Hermès, J. Crew, Dolce & Gabbana, and countless other fall-winter 2016 shows. A scarf can easily transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and add a bit of sophistication…

TABOURIAN ACQUIRES SANNINE WATER The Tabourian Group has fully acquired Sannine, the natural mineral water company. The acquisition was financed by Credit Bank. Neither party agreed to disclose the amount of the transaction, which was estimated to have closed at $20 million. The entire company has been valuated at $42 million, in addition to substantial retained earnings. Owning 51 percent of Sannine’s shares already, the Tabourian Group acquired the remaining 17.5 percent held by Malia Group, and the 31.5 percent held by Rizk Rizk, owner of Mzaar Ski Resort. The Tabourian Group is in advanced negotiations to acquire Levant Beverage & Dairy from the Mikati family, which produces the Dairy Day product range. “The company is consolidating its position in the beverage industry,” said Elias Fayad, General Manager of Sannine.…

RETAIL IS DOWN Two sets of indices have registered negative results in the first half of 2016 compared to those of the same period last year. The indices were recorded by the Beirut Traders Association (BTA)-Fransabank and Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA)-Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. After accounting for inflation, the BTA index witnessed a drop of around five percent in the second quarter of 2016. The overall index scored 48.9 over 100, which is the first time the index slides under 50 since it was launched in 2011. In spite that inflation regarding clothing prices grew, the BTA index showed that the cost of living had grown by one percent in the second quarter of the year. The LFA index also revealed a decrease…

Gross Value Added (GVA) in manufacturing is vital for selling the end product, both locally and abroad, especially to those countries that have entered into a free trade agreement with Lebanon. The ‘added value’ is what manufacturers improve on the raw material they purchase for processing final products. Accumulated added values are what make a country richer. Industrialists are making great efforts to increase added values by innovating, building brands, and providing appealing products in order to be able to compete in the marketplace. Industrialists at times are moving away from mass production and instead are leaning toward industries that rely on new techniques, higher quality outcomes, smarter outsourcing, and differentiation. DIFFERENTIATING FROM THE COMPETITION According to the national accounts system, GVA is the value of output sold minus the…

The accounting sector’s job market enjoys a large supply of graduates in relevant disciplines and exceeds existing vacancies. People working in taxation and auditing jobs are in high demand and are paid lucrative salaries. Although companies usually hire university graduates, those seeking specialist positions prefer graduates from vocational schools. New regulations at local and global levels are forcing universities to introduce new curriculums in order to help companies cope with the new developments. LOTS OF JOBSEEKERS The supply of jobseekers depends on the level of demand from the Gulf countries. When demand is low, the size of the available workforce in the local market increases, said Antoine Khoueir, General Manager at BECA Hatem & Partners, which provides auditing, accounting, taxation, and management consulting services. The brain-drain problem is finally subsiding,…

The number of restaurants is high. This has not stopped the seemingly continuous opening of new ones. This in turn has helped to increase employment opportunities. On the other hand, sales in the restaurant sector dropped around 30 and 40 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to Tony Rami, Chairman of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night Clubs, and Patisserie. He said: “This phenomenon pushed restaurants to lay off workers.” Qualified personnel, as well as fresh graduates, are seeking opportunities abroad (mainly in the Gulf region) for greater economic security. For specific skills, salaries in restaurants are on the increase, and employers are offering their best employees incentives in order to retain them. HEAD HUNTED There is a high demand for qualified chefs, team leaders, operation managers, and…

Activity in the retail sector has decreased during the last few years. This has affected employment and payroll. Nicolas Chammas, Head of Beirut Traders Syndicate, said: “Because activity is dwindling, some full-time jobs have become part time instead.” Demand is still high for new types of jobs that previously did not exist. Demand is also on the increase for senior positions. Salaries in the retail sector have not really increased during the past few years. According to Chammas, this is due to a number of factors, including pressure caused by foreign workers on the labor market. A salary scale study by InfoPro conducted in 2012 and then again in 2016 indicated that salary increases have remained in single digit percentages. NICHE POSITIONS There is a high demand for the role…

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and four by fours (4x4s) constitute 20 to 25 percent of local demand. “It is especially high among women who are now feeling empowered more than ever,” said Ghassan Bejjani, General Sales Manager at BUMC, agents of Toyota and Lexus. SUVs also provide a better feeling of security. Many luxury automakers have recently ventured into this segment by introducing their first ever SUVs. Other automakers are debuting full-size SUVs and compact crossovers. The latest technologies and safety equipment are being installed so drivers and their occupants are connected and remain secure during their journey. NEW LEASE OF LIFE A number of international automakers unveiled their SUV last year for the first time. Jaguar introduced the F-Pace, and Bentley raised the curtains on the Bentayga. The ‘Maserati…