Tuesday, October 18, 2022: The Trade and investment Facilitation (TIF) Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched an energy audit program in partnership with the Michel Daher Social Foundation (MDSF) for industrial facilities in Lebanon’s Bekaa region.
The 16-month long program will support 17 Bekaa manufacturers to optimize efficiency of energy consumption through conservation measures and renewable energy solutions. The partnership will include training on renewable energy technologies, along with an extensive on-site and off-site energy audit program that will identify three types of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). USAID, through TIF, will then support industrialists in implementing appropriate solutions to identify energy inefficiencies including the installation of renewable energy solutions.
The President of MDSF Marleine Daher, USAID Lebanon’s Director of the Office of Economic Growth Douglas Balko and Economic Growth Specialist Rana Helou, Ministry of Industry representatives, in addition to representatives from partner Bekaa industrial facilities under this project attended the launch event.
Commenting on the program, Mr. Balko said, “USAID/Lebanon is advancing the use of solar systems to electrify vulnerable communities, food production systems, and industrial enterprises, includingagro-food processing and manufacturing.”
Marleine Daher, the President of MDSF, thanked USAID for its support to the Bekaa region, and to Lebanon’s manufacturing sector. “The Lebanese industrial sector is one of the main pillars of the country’s economy, and we appreciate USAID’s support during these challenging times,” she said.
USAID’s support, through TIF, will result in reducing energy consumption and production cost of these industrial facilities. The reductions in consumption and costs will increase company profit margins and increase their competitiveness in local and international markets. The partnership will also create employment opportunities for youth in the Bekaa region.
About the USAID-funded TIF project:
USAID’s TIF project is designed to enhance economic opportunities in Lebanon by facilitating trade and investment in targeted business sectors, resulting in job creation and increased incomes for Lebanese citizens, with a strong emphasis on exports and enhancing women’s workforce participation. TIF works towards increasing the exports of Lebanese goods and services, facilitating investment opportunities, and improving the business and investment enabling environment (BIEE) in Lebanon.