Beirut, 9 May, 2018.
Within the framework of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s project “Supporting Host Communities in Lebanon affected by the high influx of Syrian Refugees” a new contemporary Lebanese craft collection titled “YAD”, produced by 19 Lebanese handcrafters was launched today. The project is financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Hussein El Hajj Hassan, Minister of Industry, represented by its Director General Mr. Dany Gedeon, and with the participation of Mr. Pierre Bou Assi, Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Marian Alexander Wrba, Ambassador of Austria to Lebanon and Mr. Cristiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative and supported by Audi Foundation in Lebanon.
Challenging economic times in Lebanon have left the country’s smaller manufacturer, especially the handicrafts, struggle to generate incomes. UNIDO, within the framework of “Supporting Host Communities in Lebanon affected by the high influx of Syrian Refugees” project, provided technical assistance to three clusters in Lebanon (Soap manufacturing, Jezzine Cutleries and Tulle Bi Telli embroidery technique) to revamp their product lines through innovation and industrial design. This innovation showcased a range of products from tableware (cutleries and ceramic sets), home decorations (lightings, cushions, curtains, tablecloths) and traditional and modern soaps designs., this initiative aims at helping small producers integrating the national and international markets.
”We believe in the power of design, creativity, and innovation for poverty alleviation, and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” declared Dr. Cristiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative.
For Mr. Marian ALexander Wrba, Ambassador of Austria to Lebanon: ““Yad” will be a suitable tool to improve host communities’ production capacities, generate livelihood support and will also provide the beneficiaries from the host communities and the displaced populations with technical and market‐based skills”.
For his part Mr. Dany Gedeon, Director General of the Ministry of Industry said: “The importance of this project, does not only lie in the direct assistance provided in terms of specialized equipment and technical training, but most importantly, for the first time, we decide to include innovation and creativity into some selected Lebanese products”.