WAYS Publication - Esteri › ambasciata_beirut › ... · 11 C ONNECTIONS Special Italy †...

ITALYITALY

WAYS PublicationWAYS Publication

CONNECTIONS

Specialized Magazine

PublisherWAYS - Walid Yasmine Services

Project ManagerCarmen Tyan

Special EditionItalian Lebanese Relations

Articles and PhotosEmbassy of Italy Italian Bilateral Military Mission -MIBILENIT- Italian Government TouristOffice

Managing EditorEmanuele D’Andrassi

CoordinatorMadonna El Hakim

Graphic DesignerGisele Merhi Nachar

CoverPonte di Rialto, Venezia - Veneto -GettyImages

Official Tourism Website of Italywww.enit.it

Exclusive Ad AgencyWays - Walid Yasmine ServicesMallat Center 3, 3rd floor, HazmiehTel. / Fax : 961-5-951 733/4E-mail : ways@waysgroup.com.lbwww.waysgroup.com.lbwww.aboutleb.comwww.facebook.com/aboutlebanon

Special ITALY

3

7

9

17

40

47

71

Contents

Preface of H.E. Mr. Massimo MarottiAmbassador of Italy

Editorial of Mr. Walid YasmineChairman of WAYS s.a.l

Recognition

Tourism and Culture

The Italian Academy of Cuisine in Beirut

Economy

Security and Defense

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

3

Preface of H.E. Mr. Massimo MarottiAmbassador of Italy

I am grateful to CONNECTIONSMagazine for covering the rich andcomplex relations between Italy andLebanon. This comprehensive overviewfocuses on the initiatives that betterexplain the sense of Italy and Lebanoncooperation, which has grown steadilyduring the last forty years, andhighlights at the same time thefundamental reasons and value of Italy'sconstant commitment to Lebanon'ssecurity, stability and prosperity. Thearticle turns the lights on Italy inLebanon and on the mutually respectfulfriendship between two Mediterraneancultural powers, which marked thehistory of this unique common space.

AN ANCIENT FRIENDSHIP ANDA RENEWED PARTNERSHIP

Italy and Lebanon are linked by afriendship that predates the born of thetwo states and finds its roots in theircommon Mediterranean heritage andcivilization. Thousands of years ofcommon history, exchanges and intensetrade relations accompanied andenriched the development of the twonations and of our own respectiveculture. Many in Lebanon like tomention the 16th century specialrelationship between Emir Fakhreddineand the dukes of Tuscany. As Rome andVenice before, the Medici family, thebankers who become rulers, interactedwith the communities leaving on theshores of the Eastern Mediterranean.The Maronite College funded in Romein 1584 is an important trace of the

historical Lebanese presence in Italy,fostering contacts between clergymen,researchers and young students, whichtoday are being expanded within theframework of Inter-Universitycooperation. The role of this traditionalfriendly relation and the awareness thatin a globalized world the two shores ofthe Mediterranean Sea share the samedestiny, are constantly recalled duringthe many official meeting betweenItalian and Lebanese political leaders.

ITALY’S COMMITMENT INLEBANON AND FOR LEBANON

The Italian government and Italians aredeeply committed in Lebanon and forLebanon, in order to contribute to thestability of the country and of the regionand to assist in the long process ofreconstruction of infrastructures and

5

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

economic development to improve theliving conditions in Lebanon and to facethe many crises and challenges of thelast five decades. In 2006, in particular,Italy assumed a courageous diplomaticinitiative which proved decisive in orderto reach a cease-fire during the July warthanks to the dispatching of UNIFIL IIreinforced contingent. Since then, Italyhas ensured a critical role providing formore than seven years, during the lastthirteen years, the leadership of thepeace-keeping mission in the South ofLebanon and contributing to the socialand economic development of theregion. Italy is the main contributor interms of troops, equipment, leadershipand civilian cooperation. It providessecurity within the UN Missionspending € 120 million per year.

The Italian Military further supportsLebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Italyprovides training programs for the LAFto accelerate the acquisition of moderncapacities to better serve the state, thedemocratic institutions and the peopleof Lebanon. Italy hosted in March 2018the second Rome Conference insupport of the Lebanese securityinstitutions. Forty countries andinternational organizations attended theconference committing donations,technical assistance and credits. Afterthe conference Italy redoubled thetraining programs in favor of the LAF.

A STRONG PARTNERSHIP IN SEVERAL DOMAINS

Since 1983, Italy is among the maindonors working in Lebanon. Lately, itsaid bilateral contributions aim atsupporting Lebanon in the mitigation ofthe dire social and economic impact ofthe Syrian refugee crisis. The differentprojects and programmes are currentlybeing implemented in several domains:institutional capacity building, socialdevelopment, environment protection,water networks and wastewatertreatment plants, rural and agriculturaldevelopment, hydrographic scientificresearch, cultural heritage. The ItalianAid Agency works in coordination withcentral and local authorities, in a spirit ofan equal partnership and on the basis of

a constructive dialogue with theLebanese counterparts (both at centraland local level), in order to addressimportant needs covering the wholeterritory and the various components ofthe Lebanese society.

The Italian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation (AICS) currently managesprogrammes and projects that absorbover € 440 million, including € 252million in soft loans, € 80 million ingrants, and € 117 million for initiativesrelated to the regional Syrian crisis.Since 2006, the total Italian contributionamounts at € 600 million. Together withAICS, which is responsible for themanagement of these funds, otherimportant Italian actors, such as NGOs,the Civil-Military Cooperation(CIMIC) and regional aid agencies,implement development policiesthroughout the country.

Lebanese companies are at the center ofimportant trade relations with Italy,which ranks among the first commercialpartners of Lebanon, with total exportsamounting to over $ 1,5 billion everyyear. Italy’s exports consist of a varietyof products, including refinedpetroleum products, machinery andmechanical appliances, ready-madegarments, chemical and pharmaceuticalproducts, metals, jewelry, textiles, andagricultural products. “Made in Italy” issynonymous of quality, design, comfortand reliability. It is highly appreciated inLebanon, by traders and customers

alike. The able team of the Italian TradeAgency plays a key role in boosting therelations between Lebanese and Italiancompanies both in traditional and newlines of business. The new frontier is theenergy sector, especially the renewableenergy sources, and the nascentLebanese oil and gas industry.

Italy and Lebanon, as powerful culturalinfluencers, are natural allies. They bothrely on a rich cultural patrimony,ancient heritage and solid educationsystem. Therefore cultural exchangesbetween Italy and Lebanon are thebackbone of their bilateral relations. TheItalian Cultural Institute in Beirut (IIC)is involved in language courses, assistedby the Dante Alighieri Association ofTripoli. The Embassy and IIC supporta long-standing cooperation amongItalian and Lebanese universities,promote art and cultural events andcollaborations and encourage culturalexchanges which help strengthen thebond between the two peoples. Cinema,music, theater, dance, literature, art,architecture, cuisine are the many fieldswhere Italians and Lebanese interact toproduce and enjoy expressions of artand culture that belong to theirrespective identity. Expanding thehorizon of this mutually enrichinginteraction between Lebanon and Italyis not difficult as the two peoples sharesimilar values and approach to life; thenot so secret mystery of the successstory of the enduring relations betweenLebanon and Italy.

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

7

Dear readers,

It’s no coincidencethat Lebanon and Italy enjoy

a privileged relationship.

The relationship between our twocountries dates back hundreds of years, with our two peoples buildingcultural and geographic bridges thathave spanned centuries.

Lebanon and Italy, two Mediterraneancountries, lie along the same shining seathat served as a cradle for variouscultures and civilizations.

Our ancestors, the Phoenicians,invented the alphabet, a tool forcommunication and understanding thatthey shared with the rest of humanitywhen they sailed the high seas andlanded on faraway shores. Theirinvention revolutionized society, but sodid the Phoenician customs andtraditions that they disseminated acrossthe Easter Mediterranean.

Editorial of Mr. Walid YasmineChairman of WAYS

Similarly, Roman civilization and asprawling Roman Empire left atremendous legacy in Lebanon:archeological sites that to this dayremain major attractions for thoseyearning to learn more about history,culture and civilization.

Lebanon is proud to have, in itssouthern city of Tyre, ruins thatrepresent the largest hippodrome everbuilt outside of Rome. Italy, much likeLebanon, is also a welcoming land, fullof hospitality for visitors and expatriates.

The Emir Fakhreddine was welcomedin Florence and treated to a warmreception by the great dukes of Mediciduring his sojourns in Pisa, Messina,Rome and Palermo. The EmirFakhreddine was so enchanted by hisItalian journey that he brought backwith him Florentine architects whocreated the traditional Lebanese red-tiled roofed home with two arcades(typical of Florentine architecture ) and

three arcades (typical of Venetianarchitecture). Upon the Emir’s request,Italian agricultural engineers also cameto Beirut to create the city’s firstexperimental botanical garden, at thevery same spot where Martyr’s Squarecurrently stands.

Italy, the great arm of Europe that extendsinto the Mediterranean, asks Lebanon ,gateway to the Middle East, to continue toserve as the link between East and Westand as a model of coexistence between its18 religious communities. Lebanon’smessage of peace - in spite of the country’smany internal upheavals – should continueto radiate across the region and serve as anexample to the entire Middle East.

We wish to maintain and develop thisexchange at various levels and in manysectors between Lebanon and Italy, andwe will continue to sway to the beat ofthe Mediterranean, that blue sea that’sbeen a source of all our wealth andriches since antiquity.

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

9

We Thankour partners for their support.

Without them, this Special Italy would not have been possible.

• AKL DECORBrand Name: Arredo Luce (Chandeliers), BC San Michele (Chandeliers), Texar Stoffe (Textiles), SpinelliVicenzo (Textiles)Akl Decor Bldg., Hazmieh Highway,Baabda, Lebanon P.O.box Hazmieh 114+961 5 45 38 34 | +961 5 45 72 93+961 5 45 37 [email protected]

• ALTUS SAL Brand Name: Arketipo, Cattelan Italia, Désirée, Zalf,Driade, Frigerio, Vittoria Frigerio, Gianfranco Ferre,Roberto Cavalli, Reflex, Segis, Tonon, Serralunga, Talenti,Varaschin, La Murrina Murano, Teckell, Sambonet, Sahrai431, 2 Hazmieh Main Road, Lebanon+961 3 03 50 35 | +961 5 95 08 [email protected]

• ARCOM GROUP Brand Name: FAP, Refin Ceramiche, Bongio, VersaceCeramics, Catalano, Abk, Fmg, Vicario Armando, Ariana,Rexa Design, Colli, Idea, Inda, Casabella, Castelvetro,Elios, Euro Ceramica, Cipa, Taddei, Nuova Osmo, Blu Bleu,Energieker, Giorgio, J&JAirport Boulevard, Beirut, Lebanon+961 1 83 89 [email protected]

• CAMPOMATIC OFFSHORE S.A.L Brand Name: Campomatic Campomatic Headquarters Building, Dora Highway,Metn, Lebanon+961 1 25 27 [email protected]

• CHOUCAIR GROUP SALBrand Name: florim ceramiche, lea ceramiche, granitifiandre, laminam, mutina, iris, petra antiqua, sicisHorch Tabet, 210 Center, Ground Floor, Sin El Fil,Lebanon+961 1 48 53 [email protected]

• CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL COMPANYBrand Name: Mapei, PolyglassIndustrial Street, Younan Bldg., 1st Floor, Bauchrieh,Lebanon+961 1 51 06 [email protected]

• DUPLEXLINEBrand Name: Smalvic, Elica, Barazza, Fhiaba, and Planika Horch Tabet, Sin El Fil, LebanonAïshti Home Solutions. Seaside Road, Antilias, Lebanon+961 1 49 58 [email protected]

11

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

• EMPORIO CERAMICO S.A.R.LBrand Name: Atlas ConcordeCameel Chamoun Boulvard, Hadath, Lebanon+961 5 47 14 71 | +961 3 88 28 [email protected]

• ETS. ANTOINE MASSOUD SALBrand Name: Amadori MS Storing Building, 1st & 2nd Floors, QuarantinaArea, Across from Sleep Comfort, Beirut, Lebanon+961 1 58 45 [email protected]

• ETS RAFIC ABI NASR Brand Name: Prestigio EspressoFacing Fouad Chehab Stadium, Abi Nasr Building, Al Mina Al Jadida, Jounieh, Lebanon+961 9 91 69 69info@cafeabinasr.comwww.prestigioespresso.comwww.cafeabinasr.com

• FANTONI LEBANON SARLBrand Name: Fantoni SpaMkalles Main Road, Center Mkalles 2001, Ground Floor, Lebanon+961 1 69 57 77 / 8 / [email protected]

• FOOD & DRUG CORPORATION SAL (FDC)Brand Name: Pomi Rashid Karameh Street, Byblos Bank building, Verdun,Beirut, Lebanon +961 1 86 20 [email protected]

• FOUAD BOCTI & CO S.A.L (BOCTICO)Brand Name: CHICCO (Artsana)Rabieh 25th street-A16 Bldg, Lebanon +961 4 52 07 [email protected]

• FURNITURE LINE SALBrand Name: Natuzzi1466 Chafic Wazzan Avenue , Foch Residence Building,Beirut central district, Lebanon+961 1 98 69 [email protected]

• G. BAZERJI & FILS SALBrand Name: MaseratiDora Highway, Jisr Area, Tannous Tower, Beirut,Lebanon+961 1 26 31 [email protected] [email protected]

• GAF AND COBrand: MarbleIndustrial Zone, Nahr Ibrahim, Lebanon+961 9 44 40 14 | + 961 9 44 44 [email protected]

• HAMRA SHOPPING & TRADING CO SALBrand Name: Geox Makdessi Street, GS Building, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon+961 1 35 30 35 [email protected]

• INTERMEUBLE DESIGN SALBrand Name: poltrona frau Port Avenue, Wakim Centre, Kaslik, Lebanon Sofil Centre, Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon+961 9 91 62 16 | +961 1 33 70 [email protected]@intermeubledesign.com

• KHALIFE FOR KITCHENS & DOORSBrand Name: ScavoliniKhalife holding building, Hadat, Lebanon+ 961 5 46 92 [email protected] | www.beirut.scavolinistore.net

• LUXURY CLOTHING COMPANY SALBrand Name: Rodeo Drive, Armani, Brioni, Givenchy,Lanvin, Tom Ford, VersaceBerytus Parks Bldg. 1st Floor, Park Avenue, GrandHotels District, Beirut, Lebanon+ 961 1 99 60 [email protected]

• NEW TRENDS SALBrand Name: BenettonSamra Center, Bloc B, 4th Floor, Fanar, Lebanon+ 961 1 89 77 [email protected] | [email protected] | www.lb.benetton.com

• ORIENT MANUFACTURING & TRADING CO. OMATRA LIBAN S.A.R.LBrand Name: Iveco, Astra, Magirus, Pirelli, Filson, Stilcrin, Crispi, Perazzi, Rizzini, CastellaniIndustrial area, Mkalles, Lebanon+ 961 1 68 49 [email protected]

• RAFIC GAZZAOUI & CO. SAL PART OF GAZZAOUI GROUPBrand Name: Bticino, Lowara, Ekinex, Tutundo,Elettrocanali, Oerre, Plastic Materials, Conforto, Elbi(these are the Italian earn brands we hold along withother worldwide products)Ramlet El Bayda, Jamil Ibrahim Bldg., Ground Floor,Beirut, Lebanon+ 961 1 85 58 [email protected]

• SAMIZAR - SAMIR AZAR & SONSBrand: MarbleIndustrial Zone, Nahr Ibrahim, Lebanon + 961 9 44 69 78 / 9 [email protected]

• SISTEMA SARLBrand Name: Elmar CucineHorch Tabet, Camille Chamoun Str., Kazandjian Bldg.213, Sin El Fil, Lebanon+961 1 49 47 15 | +961 1 48 94 20 / [email protected] | www.elmarcucine.com

• SODICOM SAL (HAYEK & EID)Brand Name: Nicotra Gebhardt SPA, Maico Italia SPA,Elicent SPA, Dynair SPA, Mistral SRL, Fourgroup SRL,Italtherm SRL, Baltur SPABoulevard Sin El Fil, Lodi Ragi Building, 1st floor,Lebanon +961 1 48 02 21 | +961 51 15 17 / [email protected]

• TANNOURINE MINERAL WATERBrand Name: San Benedetto, Tannourine, Via by Tannourine Jisr el Bacha road, Tannourine bldg, Hazmieh, Lebanon+961 5 95 57 [email protected]: under construction, meanwhile we haveTannourine Mineral Water tannourinemineralwater

• TEAM NINE SAL; YACHT BROKERAGE AND REPAIRBrand Name: Scanner Marine ( semi-rigid inflatables)Central Square, Chiha Building, Ground Floor, Jounieh,Lebanon+961 9 93 26 [email protected]

• THE LIGHT AVENUEBrand Name: Cesar Debbas & Fils SAL Corniche An Nahr, Debbas Building, Beirut, Lebanon +961 1 58 42 [email protected]

• VOGUE SAL/ SEL & POIVREBrand Name: AlessiSofil Centre, Ground Floor, Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon+961 1 20 47 77info@ seletpoivre.comwww.seletpoivre.com

13

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

17

to u r i s m a n d c u l t u re

Cultural

One of the pillars of thepartnership between Italy andLebanon is the Italian

Cooperation’s engagement in thecountry since 1983. The Agency fordevelopment cooperation (AICS) isactive in several domains: infrastructureprojects, sustainable social andeconomic development, environment,agriculture, industrial development,social affairs, tourism development,cultural heritage, education andknowledge sharing. Italy’s support ofcultural heritage projects in Lebanon isan important success story.

Under the framework of the “CulturalHeritage and Urban Development”(CHUD) program, Italy’s € 10.2 millionsoft loan and € 2.2 million grant made itpossible to implement preservationprojects in the cities of Tripoli, Byblos,Baalbeck, Saida and Tyre.

The CHUD program aims atsupporting the Lebanese institutions in enhancing economic developmentand the quality of life in these fiveurban areas and at improving theconservation and management ofLebanese cultural heritage.

The first phase of the CHUD was financed by Italy, AFD and the World Bank. In Baalbeck, Italyfunded the restoration of the Templesof Venus and Bacchus. A highlyqualified team of scientific andtechnical experts are working with theLebanese contractors.

The restorer teams trained 80Lebanese technicians. Two types of advanced cleaning laser machineswere imported from Italy in Lebanon for the first time, among othernew equipment.

Heritage

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

19

The second phase, funded only by Italyand implemented by the CDR, aims atrestoring two World Heritagearchaeological sites in Baalbeck andTyre, rehabilitating Baalbeck’s Serail,Saida’s Khan el Echle and Land Castle, and Tripoli’s Mill.

Italy assisted the working teams withtechnical and scientific knowledge and expertise. The experts of the Italian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation, UNESCO and the DGAof the Ministry of Culture guaranteethe scientific supervision of the worksin the World Heritage sites of Baalbeckand Tyre.


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

21

On the occasion of the 150thanniversary of Rossini’s death, theBaalbeck Festival 2018 decided toinclude in its program the Italiancomposer’s Stabat Mater, amasterpiece of sacred music and thefinale of Verdi’s Requiem “Libera me”,composed for Rossini.

BaalbeckInternational Festival


ROSSINI’S “STABAT MATER” CONCERT

The concert showcased four worldclass soloists: the radiant soprano JoyceEl Khoury who triumphed last year asthe lead role in La Traviata at theLondon Royal Opera House, thewonderful Italian mezzo sopranoDaniela Barcellona, alongside the tenorPaolo Fanale and the bass Krzysztof

Bączyk, two remarkable rising stars.Father Toufic Maatouk conducted theBucharest Radio Chamber Orchestraas well as the Antonine University andNDU Choirs. This exceptional concertwas produced in collaboration with theItalian Cultural Institute and the ItalianEmbassy in Lebanon.

More info on http://www.baalbeck.org.lb/programs/stabat-mater-g-rossini/

On October 7, 2016, theNational Museum of Beirutinaugurated, and opened to the

public for the first time since 1976, thenewly rehabilitated basement at thepresence of the former Lebanese PrimeMinister, Tammam Salam, and thenItalian Minister of Foreign Affairs,Paolo Gentiloni.

The Italian Cooperation funded € 1 million to the project, including theinvolvement of Italian museologyexperts, as a second phase of the 2010initiative aimed at the renovation of theRoman frescoes and the setting of theTomb of Tyre.

The General Direction of Antiquities(DGA) of the Lebanese Ministry ofCulture shared with the ItalianCooperation the cultural project at thebase of the rehabilitation of the 500 m2

basement, which hosts the Tomb ofTyre, the unique sarcophagi and othermarvelous funerary artifacts.

The project includes the modernpresentation and valorization of thefuneral art collections. Specializedtechnical assistance was also

guaranteed to the Directorate Generalof Antiquities in order to ensureadequate renovation of the exposedobjects, with particular regards to themummies of Assi El Hadath caves. In addition, training sessions werecarried out in favor of the personnel ofthe Museum, as well as the

implementation of promotional culturalactivities. Since the basement’sopening, the monthly average numberof Museum visitors doubled.

The underlying theme of the basementis the Lebanese funeral art, through a chronological pathway that starts

22

NATIONAL


C

ON

NE

CT

ION

SS

peci

al I

taly

MuseumA mapping of theLebanese Design

from Bronzeuntil Iron age

“

”

23

from prehistory and arrives until theIslamic period, enriched by the 521artifacts exposed. The pathway has fourimportant steps: the 11 meters displaycase shows the potteries originatingfrom all the archeological sites inLebanon. This display case can beexplained as a mapping of the Lebanese“design” from the Bronze Age until theIron Age. The most importantcollection of anthropomorphicsarcophagi in the world lays in a longgallery where the Italian architectGiorgio Capriotti installed special lightsand a unique arrangement of mirrors tobetter appreciate the sculptures. TheTomb of Tyre, with the renovatedfrescoes, was inserted in the pathway ofthe visit. The three mummies comingfrom Assi El Hadath caves date back tothe Mameluke period; they werecleaned, renovated, recomposed andlined by the EURAC Institute ofBolzano. The Institute also carried outon-the-job training to the personnel ofthe DGA and launched a scientificcollaboration with the LebaneseMinistry of Culture on the study andconservation of Lebanese mummies.


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

I taly’s experience in religious andcultural heritage helps inenhancing policies to bring

Lebanon back on the map of theinternational cultural and religioustourism and in creating economicdevelopment opportunities indecentralized areas of Lebanon. AICScooperates with the Office of the PrimeMinister and the Lebanese Ministry ofTourism to develop initiatives and toidentify proper policies to maximize theeconomic return from the rich culturalpatrimony of the country.

Italy funded € 414,000 to finance the project Religious TourismDevelopment in Lebanon. Launched in2017, the initiative is based on analysisand studies to identify touristicitineraries for visitors interested inreligious sites across Lebanon.

Within this framework, Lebanese andItalians implemented several activities,including a database coveringapproximately 250 religious sites; thecreation of the logo “LebanONE”; thepublishing of the book “Celebratingour Diversity”; the printing of six mapsto locate the religious sites of interest,and a large poster; an interactive

website:www.culturalrel ig ioustour ism.com ; the production of a documentary onLebanon, a TV advertisement andphoto shooting.

In addition, AICS implemented twopilot projects: the lighting of Tripoli’sTaynal Mosque, one of the oldest andmost beautiful ones in Lebanon, andthe rehabilitation of Qana site.

The project included analysis and economic studies on the religious tourism in Lebanon, itseconomic impact on the communities,the role of the private sector and the possible strategic partnerships for its development in Lebanon.Finally, a number of Conferences were held in Lebanon and Jordan to progressively involve the Lebanese diaspora.

24

Tourism

ReligiousCultural


C

ON

NE

CT

ION

SS

peci

al I

taly

&

2525

In the next three years AICScommitted € 1.7 million to restore andimprove traditional agriculturaltechniques in Lebanon and will fund a€ 3 million project for Lebanon’snatural reserves, in collaboration withUNDP, the Ministry of Environmentand Lebanese natural reservesthroughout the country.

The Italian Cooperation has also workedwith other natural reserves in thecountry, in particular with the JabalMoussa Biosphere Reserve. Theactivities, supported with a grant of € 100.000, aimed at promoting the biological, cultural and historicalvalue of the area and establishing basic infrastructure and institutionalsystems to promote ecotourism andrecreational activities.

Among the different further successfulinitiatives in the sector, it is worthmentioning “New technologies (ICT)for a sustainable and integratedmanagement of natural resources”. Theproject, funded with € 850.000 andimplemented in collaboration with theMinistry of Energy and Water andseveral Italian research centers, focusedon the management of thetransboundary river of Al-Assi(Orontes), and contributed to thecreation of potential for hydro-diplomacy initiatives.

T he Italian Cooperation is apartner of Lebanon’s Ministry ofEnvironment since 2009. In

2017 the European Union named Italyas the leading environmental donorwithin the European Joint Programmingin Lebanon.

Between 2009 and 2018 the ItalianAgency for Development funded severalkey environmental projects in the ShoufCedar Nature Reserve:

Securing and managing the ShoufCedar Nature Reserve (2009-2011).The € 817,000 project aims atstrengthening the capacity of the rangersand staff of the Cedar Reserve to preventand fight forest fires, and at improvingthe capacity of the Shouf Cedar ReserveAssociation to generate income througheco-tourism activities and environmental

services. The project contributed to asignificant increase of visitors (+40%)and annual revenues (+20%).

Sustainable development of the bufferzone of the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve (2016-2018). AICS funded a €500,000 project providing the CedarReserve with two vehicles forbiodiversity monitoring and twofeasibility studies to re-introduce theextinct species "Nubian Ibex" (Nubianibex) in the park. Plans have been made for the conservation of biodiversity and for training the farmers of local cooperatives. Acampaign has been launched for the use of wood biomass for energypurposes, involving approximately80,000 inhabitants of the 22Municipalities of the Shouf Reserve area.

Protection of the Environment

The Biodiversity


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

&

Horch Tabet, Sin El Fil

Aïshti Home Solutions, Antelias

[email protected] | +961 1 495895

Luxury retail experience

and five-star treatment

for appliances shopping

in Lebanon.

27

MAXXIExhibition

the riparian cities. From thisstandpoint, the Classic Reloaded.Mediterranea, which features works bythirteen artists (Salvatore Arancio,Maurizio Cattelan, Enzo Cucchi, Gino De Dominicis, Bruna Esposito,Flavio Favelli, Mimmo Jodice, Sabrina Mezzaqui, Liliana Moro,Luigi Ontani, Pietro Ruffo, RemoSalvadori, and Luca Trevisani)outlines an itinerary that reflects upon the prismatic, travelling natureof this culture as well as itscontemporary liveliness and presence.Such a hybrid, multifaceted culturefinds along the Mare Nostrum aninestimable source of traditions and values.

“CLASSIC RELOADED.MEDITERRANEA”

Classic Reloaded. Mediterranea, aselection of artworks by the latestgeneration of Italian artists from thecollections of MAXXI, the RomeNational Museum of Arts of XXICentury, carries out a rigorous, albeitinchoative and unthorough analysis ofthe close link between classicaltradition and the artistic researchconducted by some leading exponentsof contemporary Italian art.

Classic Reloaded. Mediterranea is an itinerant exhibition hosted inLebanon and Tunisia, and is part of acultural program called “Italy,Cultures, the Mediterranean” that theItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairscarries out in Middle-Eastern andNorth African countries.

The exhibition was presented at VillaAudi in Beirut, then at the BardoNational Museum of Tunis, twomuseums with a deep bond betweentheir respective history and importantancient art collections and the spirit ofthe exhibited artworks. TheMediterranean indeed possesses ahistorical-cultural matrix shared by


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

29

CooperationAmong Italian

Lebanese Universities

a focus on civil engineering andarchitecture; antiquity, philological-literary and historical-artistic sciences.The two universities launched jointresearch activities and courses.

The Urbino’s University furtherdeepened its engagement in Lebanonin 2016, by signing an Inter-universitycooperation agreement with the HolySpirit University of Kaslik, launchingsoon after the first joint study programin conservation and restoration ofcultural heritage in Lebanon, whichwas officially inaugurated in June 2018.

In 2011 the University of Sassarientered into a five-year partnershipwith the Holy Spirit University ofKaslik, in the domain of agriculturaland veterinary sciences, and later on with the Lebanese University, alsoin the field of agricultural andveterinary sciences.

T he 2000 Agreement on cultural,scientific and technologicalcooperation between Italy and

Lebanon expanded the teaching ofItalian as a second language inLebanese secondary schools.

The Agreement prompted anintensified cooperation among Italianand Lebanese universities to this day:

“La Sapienza” University of Rome hasundertaken in 2005 an agreement forcultural and scientific collaborationwith the Holy Spirit University ofKaslik, in the sectors of civilengineering and architecture. TheMemorandum of Understandingprovides the legal framework fortraining initiatives, joint researchprojects and the mobility of researchersand professors.

“La Sapienza” University of Romesigned in 2013 an Executive protocol ofa framework agreement for cultural andscientific collaboration with theAntonine University, in the field ofeconomics and statistics. Theagreement allowed the development ofan exchange program for teachers andresearchers and for joint research andstudy activities.

The partnership between “LaSapienza” University of Rome and theAntonine University was further

enriched in 2018 by the signing of theFramework agreement for cultural andscientific collaboration, a wide rangingdocument, providing for training,research and mobility in the followingdomains: mathematics and computerscience; physical sciences; chemicalsciences; earth sciences; biologicalsciences; medical sciences; agriculturaland veterinary sciences; civilengineering and architecture; industrialand information engineering; antiquity,philological-literary and historical-artistic sciences; historical,philosophical, pedagogical andpsychological sciences; legal sciences;economics and statistics; political andsocial sciences.

The University “Carlo Bo” of Urbinosigned in 2008 a FrameworkAgreement for scientific collaborationwith the American University ofScience and Technology of Beirut, with


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

&

LanguageCourses

and skilled workers that makemanufacture and agriculturalproductions the essence and success ofthe Made in Italy worldwide.

Learning Italian and discovering Italy’sartistic cities and beautiful nature willturn a touristic journey into anenriching and pleasant life

Half a million students attend Italianlanguage courses outside Italy. Italian is a language of choice.Speaking and understanding Italianmeans having access to an extremelyvaluable literary heritage, as well as tovery precious humanistic andscientific texts, theatre, music, opera,cinema and television.

Thousands of foreign studentsincreasingly decide to attend Italy’sschools, universities, academies and libraries.

Italian is also a language of work, as itopens the doors to the extremely richworld of managers, investors,technicians, artisans, design creators

32


C

ON

NE

CT

ION

SS

peci

al I

taly

LS2 PROJECT: ITALIAN AS A SECOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE

33

experience.The Pilot Project forteaching Italian as a Second ForeignLanguage in the Lebanese publicschools and high schools, which was launched in 2001, after thesignature of an Agreement forCooperation and Cultural Exchanges,has been very successful.

Two years ago, the Fakhr el DinePublic High School took part in aninternational competition on

Pirandello, the great Nobel Prizelaureate Italian playwright.

The third year’s students of thesecondary cycle, majoring in socio-economic and life sciences, wrote ascreenplay named "The life permit"-under the guidance and support ofProfessor Mona Rizk - inspired by oneof Pirandello’s novels. The activity wassupported by Professor CaterinaCarlini, the Italian lecturer at the

Lebanese University.

The Fakhr El Dine High School rankedthird among 84 schools participatingworldwide! The Italian Ministry ofEducation, University and Researchand the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation invitedthe winning Lebanese students andtheir teacher to present their playduring the award ceremony held inJune 2018 in Agrigento.


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

TEACHING ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN LEBANON: CREATIVITY AND CULTURAL INTERACTION.

34

The LessTravelled Paths“

”


C

ON

NE

CT

ION

SS

peci

al I

taly

Tourismin Italy

SIRMIONE

The town of Sirmione stretches on a small peninsula on the southernshores of Lake Garda, in the north of Italy.

Inhabited since immemorial times,Sirmione welcomes its visitors with its mild climate and invites them to relax in its ancient thermal

baths against a unique background of well-preserved Roman buildings,medieval fortifications andpicturesque churches.

35


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

ISOLA DEI PESCATORI

Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island)is a small island surrounded by theLake Maggiore, in the north of Italy. Asits name suggests, fishing has been the

local activity for centuries and housesstill display the long balconies wherethe daily catch is left to dry. Visitors canenjoy a stroll through the town’s

picturesque alleys and, every August15th , attend the Procession in honor ofthe Virgin Mary, whose statue is carriedaround the island on a boat.

THE CINQUE TERRE

The UNESCO World Her i tage Si te of Le Cinque Ter re ( «FiveLands») , the f ive v i l lages ofMonterosso a l Mare, Ver nazza,

Cor nig l ia , Manarola andRiomaggiore, are the jewels of thecoast of Liguria, in north-westernItaly. The villages are connected by

romantic walking trai ls, l ike theAzure Trai l and the Love Walk,of fer ing s tunning v iews on themarvelous coastline.

PIENZA

Pienza, a small town in Tuscany not far from Siena, was built by Pope Pius II to be an idealRenaissance town.

Its historic centre, a little jewelwhich is now a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site, represents the firstapplication of humanist urbanplanning principles.

36

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

SAN GIMIGNANO

The historic centre of SanGimignano, a small town on thegreen hills of Tuscany, is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site: its medievalwalls and the Romanesque and

Gothic buildings are of a timelessbeauty, that visitors can contemplatewhile enjoying a glass of exquisiteVernaccia, the locally producedwhite wine.

PITIGLIANO

Pitigliano, known as the “Tuscan little Jerusalem” for the historicalpresence of a Jewish community, lies on the hills of central Italy.

The town displays magnificentexamples of Medieval, Renaissance as well as Jewish architecture and represents an ideal starting point for relaxing excursions to the nearby Lake Bolsena and thermal springs of Saturnia.


37


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO

Civita di Bagnoregio, bir thplace to the philosopher St. Bonaventure,was built on top of a plateau ofvolcanic rock in the Calanchi

Valley, 100 km north of Rome andnot far from Lake Bolsena. The town is famous for its magnificentmedieval architecture, its

surrounding forests which make it anideal place for trekking andmountain-biking, and the locallyproduced sausages and hams.

SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is located on the mountains of the GranSasso National Park in central Italy: visitors can enjoy thetraditional lentils soup in the fascinating Medieval historic centrebefore setting off for exciting hikes in the unspoiled naturesurrounding the town.

Italy is almost

like a Fairytale

“

”

38

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

AMALFI

Amalfi, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is asmall town just an hour drive fromNaples. Once a thriving maritime

republic, Amalfi gives the name to awonderful Riviera. It has retained tracesof its glorious past which visitors can

admire alongside the breathless beautyof its coastal area and equally famoussurroundings.

RAVELLO

In Ravello, a small town on the hillsabove the Tyrrhenian coast a fewkilometres from Naples, tourists canunwind and enjoy a regeneratingholiday while admiring the vestiges ofthe historic centre and tastingdelicious dishes from the Neapolitantraditional cuisine.


39


CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

MATERA

At the center of Italy’s South lies thetown of Matera, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site and the EuropeanCapital of Culture for 2019. Matera isfamous worldwide for its Sassi(Stones), dwellings dug into the localcalcareous rock, which is characteristicof Basilicata and Puglia regions. Theyare deemed to be the first ever humansettlements in the Italian peninsula.

The local administration is promotingthe regeneration of the Sassi as apicturesque touristic attraction with theaid of the Italian government andUNESCO. The Sassi were declaredUNESCO World Heritage in 1993.

The Matera Cathedral (1268–1270)has been dedicated to Santa Mariadella Bruna since 1389. Built in anApulian Romanesque architecturalstyle, the church has a 52 m bell tower,with the statue of the Maria dellaBruna, backed by Saints Peter and Paulat the main gate.

The Tramontano Castle, built in theearly 16th century by Gian CarloTramontano, Count of Matera, is theother structure above ground of greatsignificance outside the Sassi.

However, the construction remainedunfinished after his assassinationduring the riot of 29 December 1514.It has three large towers, while twelvewere probably included in theoriginal design.

The Palazzo dell'Annunziata is ahistorical building on the main square,seat of the Provincial Library.

European Capital of Culture

for 2019

“”

AccademiaItaliana della Cucina

Founded in Milano on the 29th of July 1953, by Orio Vergani with a group of well qualified representativesof culture, industry and journalism,and recognized as a cultural institutionof the Italian Republic in 2003, the Italian Academy of Cuisine aims to protect the traditions of Italiancuisine, whose improvement it promotesand favors in Italy and abroad.

Through its Study Center and itsDelegations in Italy and worldwide,The Academy strives to promoteinitiatives intended to increasefamiliarity with the value of Italiancuisine, which form the basis for everysubstantial innovation.

In the Spring of 2002, the formerAmbassador of Italy in Lebanon, H.E.Giuseppe Cassini, contacted thePresident of the Academy, the lateGiuseppe dell’Osso, in order to createa delegation of the AIDC in Lebanon.

Giuseppe dell’Osso then came twice toBeirut, and as suggested by the ItalianAmbassador, he decided to form aLebanese delegation of the AccademiaItaliana della Cucina, naming Mario G.Haddad as the first Delegate in Beirut.

The new Delegate had the task tochoose and designate the new membersamong lovers of Italian cuisine, that

were ready to follow the rules and aimsof the Academy.

Since 2002, the Lebanese delegation is active in promoting new Italianrestaurants and original Italian cuisine.Its aim is to insist on strict Italian originraw material, especially pecorino,mozzarella and parmesan cheese; butalso canned tomatoes, and all kinds ofprosciutto, salami and sausages,focusing on only original Italiansalumi. Every year the Accademia,through its Lebanese delegation,awards important prizes for “BuonaCucina” to restaurants that havefollowed the rules, and offered the bestof Italian food. The first restaurant tohave been awarded such a prestigiousprize in 2005 was Al Dente, to befollowed through the years by Tavolina, Marinella, Gavi and finallyMario e Mario.

A complete list of all the Italianrestaurants with their grading inLebanon and worldwide can be foundon our website:www.accademiaitalianacucina.it

The Delegation also awards specialprizes to old commercial institutionsthat are helping, by manufacturing or importing only edible products of Italian origin, to maintain the qualityof the food.

This year’s (2019) contender is thefamous Salumeria AZIZ.

In close collaboration with the ItalianTrade Agency (ITA), we contribute toorganizing every November the WorldWeek of Italian Cuisine in Lebanon. Wealso collaborate in promoting Italianwines, especially in Italian restaurants andwith tasting sessions organized by ITA indifferent venues throughout the year.

The most rewarding activity of thedelegates of the Academy in Beirut isour regular private dinner gatherings,when the bravest among us cooks aspecial pasta to the group, followed byendless discussions on how it couldhave been done better!

Comm. Mario G. HaddadAIDC. Delegato per il Libano

THE ACADEMY AND ITS AIM

40

ga s t ro n o my

C

ON

NE

CT

ION

SS

peci

al I

taly

“ 16 ” Years Since “2004”

Till “2019”

WAYS PublicationA REASON TO PURSUE

PUBLISHING

pa

rt

ic

ip

at

e

disco

ver

explore

trad

e

educ

ation

culture

food

tourism

share

exch

ange

ITALYITALY

W AY S Pu bl ica t io nW AY S Pu bl ica t io n

G. Bazerji & Fils S.A.L.

Dora Highway, Jisr Area, Tannous Tower, +961 1 263111 lebanon.maserati.com

The most powerful V8 in the history of the Trident

THE NEW MASERATI LEVANTE TROFEO

Leva

nte

Tro

feo

- e

ngin

e: V

8 90

° 37

99 c

m³

- m

ax p

ower

: 590

HP

at 6

250

rpm

- m

ax t

orqu

e: 7

30 N

m a

t 25

00-5

000r

pm -

max

spe

ed: 3

04 k

m/h

- 0

-100

km

/h a

ccel

erat

ion:

3.9

sec

sfu

el c

onsu

mpt

ion

(com

bine

d cy

cle)

: 13.

5l/1

00 k

m -

CO

2 em

issi

ons

(com

bine

d cy

cle)

: 313

g/k

m. T

he d

ata

may

not

ref

er t

o th

e m

odel

rep

rese

nted

.

F or the twelfth consecutiveyear, Italy was represented at Project Lebanon with

an Italian Pavilion. In the 2018 edition of the fair, the ItalianPavilion hosted 16 companies leader in the construction andinfrastructure sectors.

The Italian participation confirmsthe strong interest in the Lebanesemarket in the infrastructure andconstruction sector, also as a gatewayto other countries in the region.

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA)organized the participation of theItalian delegation to the fair.

The Italian Pavilion covered an area of210 m2 and hosted a Business Centerfor meetings between Italian andLebanese companies.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited thePavilion accompanied by AmbassadorMassimo Marotti and ITA Director,Francesca Zadro.

The 16 participating companiescovered a wide range of products andservices: from flooring to doors tobathroom solutions; from marble toglass to mosaic glass; from scaffoldingto pipes to water treatment.

47

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

ProjectLebanon

economy

2019 GHIBLI RIBELLE

The Maserati Ghibli Ribelle is a limited-edition version of the company’s midsize luxury sedan. Created exclusively for the EMEA markets, which include Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the Ghibli Ribelle features extra luxury equipment and is limited to only 200 units.Although it’s already five years old as of 2013, the Ghibli remains a cool sedan that blends the elegance of the bigger Quattroporte with sportier styling cues and the aggressiveness of its Ferrari-developed engine options. The Ribelle focuses around a more elegant interior trim and a pitch black exterior.

What Makes the Maserati Ghibli Ribelle Special?

Much like any special-edition model before it, the Ribelle doesn’t feature any exclusive add-ons on the outside. The package is mostly about a new paint and new wheels, but the combination is exclusive to this car only. Specifically, Maserati launched a new color called Nero Ribelle. Sporting a slight metallic tone, this dark hue enhances the Ghibli's muscular lines and gives it an extra touch of elegance.

Finally, the optional Ribelle Plus package adds laminated privacy windows for enhanced thermal and sound insulation, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and an opening sunroof. While most limited-edition cars are usually limited to one or two engines, Maserati offers the Ghibli Ribelle with all three powerplants. As you may remember, all engines were updated in 2016 when Maserati introduced the mid-cycle facelift. The base version of the Ferrari-developed, 3.0-liter V-6 engine now cranks out 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Sprinting to 100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds, while top speed comes in at 267 km/h. In the Ghibli S, output increases to 430 horsepower and 550 N-m, while the 0-to-100 km/h sprint decreases to 4.9 seconds. Go with the all-wheel-drive Q4 version, and you’ll get there in 4.7 ticks. The Ghibli S is also faster, topping out at 286 km/h. Limited to only 200 units, the Ghibli Ribelle is sold in EMEA markets only, which include Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and Lebanon was allocated 2 Ribelle units.

What’s more, the paint goes well with the dark chrome accents on the grille and window frames, as well as the blacked-out grille mesh and bumper outlets. Maserati also crafted a set of exclusive wheels for the Ribelle. Also finished in black, they’re made from alloy to save weight and measure 19 inches, so they are larger than the standard rollers. Five of the 15 spokes feature red, laser-etched details with "Maserati" lettering on one of them. The red brake calipers add a dash of color to the otherwise all-black exterior.

A set of full LED Matrix adaptive headlamps rounds off the exterior, but only if you select the optional Ribelle Plus package. A quick glance inside the cabin is enough to notice that Maserati paid more attention to the Ribelle's interior. The first thing that catches the eye is the two-tone layout that combines black and red materials for a striking contrast. The classy combination adorns not only the full leather seats, usually an option on the Ghibli, but also the dashboard and the door panels.

While the dash and the seats boast large "chunks" of red leather, the door panels are mostly black, with only the armrests finished in red. The seats are red from top to bottom except for the big bolsters and the sides of the seating surfaces. The leather on the steering wheel is all-black, but the tone-on-tone stitching and matching design of the paddle shifters give it a unique look. More stitching can be seen on the door panels and the seats. Another exclusive feature is the chromed aluminum badge on the central console. Placed on the Black Piano finish wood trim, it sports the iconic "Trident" logo and "Ribelle" lettering. It also spells "One of 200" so you won’t forget that your Ghibli is a limited-edition model.

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

lye co n o my

50

LIOG and IBEF

Energy

The Lebanon International Oil andGas Summit (LIOG) was held in Beirut on 24-25 April 2018.

It was the first participation of anItalian business delegation at the fourthedition of the Summit.

ITA organized the participation of the entrepreneurial delegation tothe forum and meetings withLebanese companies.

The goal of the mission was to includeItalian companies in the oil and gassupply chain, both in upstreamoperations and in the provision ofcomplementary services and productsfor the emerging Lebanese oil industry.

LEBANON INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS SUMMIT (LIOG) AND INTERNATIONAL BEIRUT ENERGY FORUM (IBEF)

Italy aims at contributing to thedevelopment of the energy sector inLebanon. In 2017, the Italian companyENI was awarded, in consortium withTotal and Novatek, the licenses forexploration and exploitation of offshoreoil and gas resources.

The Exploration and ProductionAgreements were signed in Beirut on28 January 2018, and preparatoryactivities for the exploration operationswere launched in 2019.

The Lebanese Minister of Energy andWater visited the Italian standaccompanied by the Director of theItalian Trade Agency, FrancescaZadro and the Head of the EconomicOffice of the Italian Embassy,Emanuele D'Andrassi.

To support the promotion of the Italianbusiness delegation, two seminars wereorganized: the first one was dedicatedto the bilateral financial program of theItalian Ministry of Environment forprojects within the scheme of therenewable energy and energy efficiency,including a credit line of € 5 million,with a 10% grant component; while thesecond was dedicated to thepresentation of Italian solutions andtechniques in the decarbonization ofthe energy sector.

51

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

The Italian Trade Agency organized ab2b meeting session for the Italiandelegation, with over 80 meetings onthe agenda. The Italian Trade Agencyalso participated in the fifth session ofthe Summit dedicated to "The supplychain: serving the industry", to presentthe Italian supply chain in the oil andgas sector.

The Italian Trade Agency, incollaboration with the Italian Ministryof the Environment, organized theparticipation of a delegation of Italiancompanies active in the renewableenergies sector to the InternationalBeirut Energy Forum (IBEF), held on26-28 September 2018.

The Italian delegates presented theircompanies and solutions to a qualifiedaudience of Lebanese entrepreneurs.

The Italian Trade Agency alsoorganized two sessions of b2b meetingsfor the Italian delegation with 235meetings on the agenda.

T he Italian Trade Agency inBeirut organizes the yearlyMasterclass of Italian Cuisine.

Chef Paolo Amadori in 2018, and ChefCarlo Maria Ricci in 2019, ChefAmbassadors of the InternationalSchool of Italian Cuisine-Alma, eachheld a two-day Masterclass dedicatedto new trend and techniques in theItalian Cuisine, and to the optimal useof original Italian ingredients. 12professional chefs of Italian restaurants

in Lebanon participated. A specialsession was reserved to amateurs ofItalian cuisine interested in learning thepreparation of some iconic Italiandishes. A session was also reserved tothe students of the Bachelor inCulinary arts offering and insight to theItalian cuisine.

The Italian Cultural Institute, incollaboration with different Lebanese

53

and international partners such as La Sagesse University, Faculty ofHospitality Management alsoorganized regularly courses of Italiancuisine. Four sessions were dedicated tothe preparation and tasting of the bestdishes of Italian cuisine, given by Italianchefs (such as Chef Nicola Offredi),who taught to the participants how toprepare Italian meals, from appetizersto desserts, through pasta and meats.

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

Training 12 professional chefs of Italian restaurants in Lebanon“ ”

Masterclassof Italian Cuisine

54

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

lye co n o my

ItalianWine Workshop

I taly is the first wine producer inthe world and the secondsupplier of wine in the Lebanese

market, holding a 14,6% market share,with a total export value of over $ 2million, a 10% increase compared to 2017.

Italian spumante is particularlyappreciated, with a market share of24% and over $ 1 million in exports.The compound annual growth for thelast 6 years of Italian spumante showsa +22,5% whereas the compoundannual growth of the imports in thesector registered merely +3,9%.

This performance testifies thegrowing appreciation of Lebaneseconsumers toward the Italian varietiesand qualities.

Italy is also the second supplier ofmineral water to Lebanon, with amarket share of 17% and a total valueof $ 845.000, registering a growth ofover 14% in 2018.

Furthermore, Italy confirms in 2018the absolute leadership in vermouthdistribution, with a market share of77% and a value of $ 116.000.

55

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

Finally, the interest towards Italian beerin Lebanon has been constantlyincreasing since 2013; a compoundgrowth of over 44% in the last 6 years.Italian beers entered the Lebanesemarket in 2013 with a value of $ 4.000and registered a total export value of $ 25.000 in 2018.

On 7 March 2018 the Italian TradeAgency organized the first Italian WineWorkshop, to support the Lebaneseimporters and distributors and to raiseawareness of consumers towards theItalian production. 16 local importersrepresenting more than 100 Italianwine producers with over 400 varietiesof products took part in the event.

The workshop was open to traders andoff-traders, in order to allow importersto present their portfolio of Italianproducts to professionals in the foodand beverage sector.

The sommelier and oenologist Paolo Peira was invited from Italy for a wine tasting with wine experts, amateurs, customers,journalists and influencers.

The success of the event promptedthe organization of a second edition ofthe Italian Wine Workshop on 28February 2019.

guilt-free pleasure100% plant-basedcompostable capsulesCompatible with NESPRESSO® system

57

founded in 1506 and with more than15,000 students each year, is one of theoldest schools of Conservation andRestoration in Europe and participatesin numerous projects on CulturalHeritage in the Mediterranean region.Considering the richness and thediversity of the Lebanese cultural andartistic heritage in general, and thereligious cultural legacy in particular,

the Bachelor of Arts in Conservation,Restoration of Cultural Property andSacred Art was created in order to meetthe specific and urgent needs topreserve and restore the nationalheritage. The curriculum provides allthe theoretical and practical knowledgerelated to the preservation, protection,and documentation of painted artworkson fabrics and wooden support.

The Italian Cultural Institutedeveloped a partnership with the HolySpirit University of Kaslik (USEK),Faculty of Fine Arts, to facilitatecontacts with the University of Urbino,in view of the creation of a three-yearDiploma in "Conservation, Restorationof Cultural Property and Sacred Art",the first of its kind instituted inLebanon. The University of Urbino,

ConservationRestoration

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

economy

&

CONSERVATION, RESTORATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY AND SACRED ART

Promoting the richness and thediversity of Lebanese Culture“

”

The initiative also intends to mitigatethe impact of the Syrian crisis, inareas that are hosting a large numberof refugees.

The Italian Cooperation financed,through a contr ibution of €500.000, the feasibility studiesunder taken by UNIDO, whileproviding technical assistance to the

I taly supports the sustainabledevelopment of Lebanon. Oneof the most important projects

is the "Development of IndustrialZones in Lebanon", funded by theItalian Cooperation andimplemented by UNIDO in supportto the Ministry of Industry, Lebaneseenterprises and local communities.The project aims at combining urban

development, infrastructural andservice activities provided by thecompanies to operate in a stable andconvenient environment.

According to experiences in severalcountries, areas can have a significantpositive impact on economicreforms, industrial development andpolicies for employment generation.

59

IndustrialZones

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

economy

Technical assistance in industrial zones will be guaranteedthanks to Lebanese institutions and business associations in Italy“

”

61

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

economy

Lebanese government in order to make operational the feasibility studies and the master plans, andenhance the capacity of Ministry ofIndustry in terms of management anddevelopment of industrial zones inLebanon, in line with the financing

opportunities proposed by Italy, theEuropean Investment Bank and the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction. The technicalassistance for investment promotion in industrial zones will also beguaranteed thanks to the missions by

representatives of the Lebaneseinstitutions and business associations in Italy. The initiative will support theproduction capacities of hostcommunities by enhancing the capacityto respond to local and external market demands.

63

In addition to the construction of theplant, the project included theimplementation of a wastewatercollection and transport system (12 kmlength of a sewage network with relatedmanholes and a wastewater pumpingstation). Finally, Suez Italia built,installed and connected the sewagenetwork of Kaa el Rim.

T he Italian support to theLebanese Government in theprotection of the environment

prompted the Italian Cooperation tofinance the creation of a collectingsystem, treatment and disposal ofwastewater in Zahle, for an overall valueof € 22,4 million. The project aims atimproving the wastewater treatmentsystem for the city of Zahle, whilereducing the environmental impact ofhuman, commercial and industrialconsumption. The Zahle WastewaterTreatment Plant was built by SuezItalia, and it began its operations inOctober 2017, benefitting 205.000inhabitants of the Zahle region, and

substantially contributing to reducingthe pollution of the Litani andBerdawni rivers. Since the beginning ofits operations, the plant treated onaverage 16.000 cubic meters ofwastewater daily. The full capacity ofthe plant currently is 37.300 cubicmeters, and it could be expanded to56.000 cubic meters per day in 2030.

ZahleWastewater

Treatment Plant

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

The project, implemented in closecooperation with the Ministry ofIndustry and the Ministry ofAgriculture, supports the LebaneseGovernment in improving theperformance of selected enterprises, in order to strengthen theircompetitiveness and integration in theglobal market.

STRENGTHENING SELECTED AGRO FOOD VALUE CHAINS (CELEP 3B)

The initiative financed by the ItalianGovernment for a total amount of €500.000, aims at improving agro-industrial infrastructures, inparticular for small- and medium-sizedenterprises, agricultural cooperativesand beekeepers by providing technicalassistance and promoting incomegenerating activities.

The activities take place in Lebanese communities particularlyaffected by the consequences of the Syrian refugees influx and promote particular creativeaspects of fundamental importancefor the commercialization of products, such as product design and marketing.

64

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

lye co n o my

Agro FoodValue Chains

65

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

The resources allocated to supportthese activities promote the growth andthe development of local markets, theincrease of the commercial productivityand the diversification of the economyin the areas of intervention.

The impact of the project is maximized by the implementation of the following activities:

• Mobilization and organizationof selected communities, through aparticipatory approach and theorganization of planning andawareness workshops for allstakeholders, in order to involvethem in decision-making processes;• Capacity building: based onprevious experiences and usinginfrastructures and tools partlyachieved, UNIDO is implementinga strategy to strengthen theknowledge and diversify thedifferent agricultural and foodsectors, according to local needs.• Sustainable development forLebanese communities: the projectenables the updating of selectedenterprises through the provision oftraining and equipment.

67

growth of industrial exports and tostrengthen competitiveness andinvestments in the sector.

The project aims at providing supportto cooperatives and enterprises, byproviding technical assistance tomanufacturing and production

operations, and facilitating access tothe market of agro-industrial products.At the same time, the program allows to strengthen the role of localcommunities, especially women and young people in contributing to productive activities and socio-economical support.

CREATIVITY AND JOB CREATION IN THE LEBANESE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIALSECTOR (CELEP 4)

The project is implemented byUNIDO and financed by the ItalianGovernment for a total value of € 1 million. Its main goal is tocreate jobs and economicopportunities in the Lebanese agro-industrial sector, supporting the competitiveness potential and theaccess to new markets for localagricultural products.

The initiative builds upon theachievements of the three previousphases, financed by Italy with a totalcontribution of € 3,2 million, whichfocused on relaunching the Lebaneseagro-industrial sector. Until today, theprogram succeeded in modernizing 68companies and 20 cooperatives, andproduced a positive impact on morethan 2.000 beneficiary families, withthe direct involvement of more than500 women.

The strategy implemented during the project foresees technical updating and the strengthening of thequantity and quality of local agro-industrial products throughinnovation and creativity. Theoverarching goal is to enhance theexpansion of internal markets, the

CreativityJob Creation

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

e co n o my

&

70

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

71

a yearly cost of € 120 million (for a13-year period the overall cost isestimated at over € 1.5 billion).

UNIFIL’s Italian units fund andexecute activities in support of thepeople. Civil-military cooperation(CIMIC) aims at providing economic

and social assistance to the populationin the area of responsibility of themission, including free of chargemedical, dental and veterinaryservices, as well as training programsin computers and informationtechnology, languages, cooking, yoga,and martial arts.

I taly was at the core of the 2006UNIFIL II deployment inLebanon. More than 2,000

Italian soldiers were transferred to theSouthern region to reinforce theUnited Nations Interim Force inLebanon (UNIFIL), operating since1978, with the mandate to monitor thecease-fire between Lebanon and Israeland support the Lebanese ArmedForces (LAF) deployed in the South ofthe country.

For thirteen years the Italian battalionhas been playing a major role insecuring peace and stability alongLebanon’s southern border, allowingthe safety conditions for the economicand social development of the region.Among the seven UN ForceCommanders appointed since 2006,four are Italian generals. The ForceCommander is also in charge of apolitical role in conducting the“Tripartite mechanism” which ensuresthe dialogue among the UN forces, theLAF and the Israeli Defence Forces toadvance the demarcation of theceasefire area, contain incidents anddefuse the tension in the area.

In 2018 more than 1,100 Italiansoldiers operated in UNIFIL WesternSector supporting the LAF andassisting people and municipalities at

UNIFIL

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

s e c u r i t y a n d d e fe n s e

73

MIBIL

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


HOW DOES MIBIL SUPPORTTHE LEBANESE ARMEDFORCES ( LAF)?

Yearly, the MIBIL Commander(COMMIBIL) schedules the TrainingCalendar, in accordance with LAFTraining Directorate educationalrequirements, advices the LebaneseMilitary Commanders and reviewsthe training process to update,improve and adapt the educationaloffer according to the needs.

A fter the First RomeConference in support of theLAF, Italy established a

Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon(MIBIL). The mission was deployed on26 January 2015. It operates in theTraining Center of As-Samayah village,where a climbing tower, threeclassrooms with a 44-student capacityand a 48 seats briefing room areavailable equipped with PCs connectedto latest generation Wi-Fi electronicboards. Highly skilled trainersconducted more than 50 programs inthe first three years of activities. AfterRome Conference II, which was heldon March 15, 2018, MIBIL conductedmore than 120 programs, including thetraining of the Presidential Guard’sunits, and of its first female soldiersunit. The value of these two-year longprograms is $ 50 million.

COMMIBIL performs the finalassessment by identifying thetraining/operational goals to beachieved, based on the informationcollected, inputs gathered and LAFrequirements. MIBIL Core Teamsupports any immediate request orunplanned training need. Throughthis process, the most suitable MobileTraining Teams (MTTs) are properlyset and deployed with the LebaneseMilitary Units to meet theireducational needs.

Italian Bilateral MilitaryMission in Lebanon

75

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


MIBIL ACTIVITIES

MIBIL organizes, conducts and coordinates the educationalactivities agreed with the LAF inorder to accelerate the acquisition ofkey military capacities. MIBIL tasksare twofold:

a. to assist LAF training requests.MIBIL works in close coordinationwith the LAF Training Directorateand the Italian Embassy in Beirut; b. to plan and execute specialeducational programs through theMobile Training Teams (MTT) ofthe Italian Armed Forces (Army,Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri-Military Police).

A permanent staff (Core Team) islocated in As-Samayah/Shama, Southof Lebanon, with the task offacilitating the cooperation. Thehighly qualified Mobile TrainingTeams (MTT) are deployed fromItaly to execute the training activities.A team of Italian/English-Arabictranslators assists team.

In the 2015-2017 timeframe, MIBILorganized and conducted 55

advanced training courses, providedmore than 5.300 hours of lessons,applying the "train the trainers"formula. 2.835 soldiers werequalified in several specialties,including 355 Officers and 1017NCOs. Following the Rome IIConference in support to theLebanese security institutions (15 March 2018), in 2018-2019 Italyplanned 123 training courses, anincrease of 239%.

The Italian Navy enhanced an advancedprogram conducting a hydrographic andoceanographic survey and donated

sophisticated equipment. The ItalianMinistry of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation funded the

rehabilitation of infrastructures and theprovision of € 4 million non-lethalequipment to both MIBIL and the LAF.

FURTHER DOMAINS OF COOPERATION

SNIPING AVIATIONSURVIVOR

& FIRST AID

VISUALINTERPRETATION

CROWD & RIOTCONTROL

AMPHIBIOUSMOUNTAINWARFARE

FORCE PROTECTION

MILITARY POLICE / CSI

CLOSEPROTECTION

PSYOPS EXPLOITATION TARGET

ACQUISITION

SHARPSHOOTER

MILITARYDOGS

VESSEL BOARD MEDIC

CBRNAVIATIONSAFETY

C-IED CIMIC

77

ISG

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


coordination of the Office of the UnitedNations Special Coordinator forLebanon (UNSCOL). Within theGroup, Italy coordinates the support tothe LAF, while Germany coordinatesthe Syrian refugees humanitarian crisis.The World Bank focuses on theLebanese economy.

Italy organized the first internationalconference in support of the Lebanesesecurity institutions, which took place inRome on 17 June 2014. 43 delegationsrepresenting both States andInternational Organizations participated.Lebanon was represented by the then

T he International SupportGroup for Lebanon (ISG),aimed at ensuring an effective

support to the stability of the country,gathered for the first time in September2013 on the sidelines of the UNGeneral Assembly in New York. Inattendance were the five permanentmembers of the UN Security Council(USA, Russia, UK, France and China)along with Italy, Germany, theEuropean Union, the United Nations,and the Arab League.

The ISG Heads of Mission meetregularly in Beirut, under the

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ofDefense Samir Mokbel and the Ministerof Foreign Affairs Gibran Bassil. On 28 October 2014 a MinisterialConference devoted to the Syrianrefugees crisis took place in Berlin.

InternationalSupport Group

For Lebanon

Jounieh, Central SquareT: +961 9 910425

Herri, Facing Florida BeachT: +961 6 543425

Halat, Halat Sur MerT: +961 3 863 065

www.teamnine.comwww.scanner-marine.com

BOATS & YACHTSACCESSORIES

SPO

RTS

ISU

RE

LLLLLLEEEEEE

SERVICING & MAINTENANCE WATER & SKI EQUIPMENTS

BROKERAGERENTAL

79

Rome II

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


The conference gave momentum to an enhanced international support tothe Lebanese institutions, andpromoted a solid commitment to theimplementation of the UN SecurityCouncil Resolutions on Lebanon.

In the framework of the Rome IIConference, the partners of Lebanonpledged donations to the LAF and theInternal Security Forces (ISF), both interms of equipment, technicalassistance and training.

On 15 March 2018, a secondconference was held in Romeupon request of the Lebanese

Government. The Rome IIMinisterial Conference was openedby the Prime Ministers of Italy andLebanon, and the UN SecretaryGeneral Guterres. 40 delegationsattended the event in support of theLebanese security institutions, theArmed Forces (LAF), the InternalSecurity Forces (ISF) and theGeneral Security (GS).

Conference in Support to LebaneseSecurity Institutions

81

ItalianCooperation

Activities

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


The project aimed at improvingdetention conditions in the largestpenitentiary institute in Lebanon:

1. A new central kitchen wasactivated in the Roumieh prison,together with several training programson food management, hygiene andsafety, with the goal of creatingopportunities for income generationduring detention and job learning;

2. The so-called “Blue House”,dedicated to the detainees with mental disabilities, was renovated andrehabilitated, expanding at the same time

T he Italian Agency forDevelopment Cooperation(AICS) funded € 3,3 million to

improve detention conditions inLebanon, with particular attention tochildren, women and prisoners withmental disabilities.

The Italian Cooperation programsinvolved several Lebanese prisonsthroughout the country since 2009. The most important one wasimplemented in the Roumieh prison by the Ministry of Justice andUNODC, in close collaboration withthe Ministry of Interior.

recreational activities, medical treatment,and specialized training to prison staff;

3. Basic services were improvedfor the juvenile detainees. AICS fundedthe distribution of health kits andprograms for psycho-social support,including trauma assessments and counselling, for facilitatingcommunications with the families, andfor the organization of recreational events.

The project started in October 2015 and completed in June 2017 withthe inauguration of the “Blue House”in Roumieh.

on Human Rights andPrisons in Lebanon

The new central kitchen employsseveral detainees to prepare meals for3000 prisoners daily.

The second phase of the projects forthe protection of human rights and theimprovement of living conditions in theLebanese prisons, involves the InternalSecurity Forces, the Ministry ofInterior, the Ministry of Justice, theMinistry of Social Affairs, local NGOs,and the Italian Ministry of Justice’sTutor for prisoners (“Garante deiDetenuti”). The program, whichincludes twinning and cooperationactivities with Italian experts, hasspecific objectives:

a. Improvement of physicalconditions of detention structures ofTyre, Batroun, Marjayoun, Nabatieh,Verdun, Baabda;

b. Continuing the activities in theRoumieh prison on food quality andsecurity, cooking classes, therehabilitation of a bakery, a laundry anda carpentry laboratory, creating agarden for juvenile and therapeutic andpsychiatric support, ensuring medicalvisits by specialists, supply ofmedications dedicated to the mentallyill prisoners in the Blue House,rehabilitation of a promenade area andof a multifunctional room in the BlueHouse for the detainees and productionof a documentary on their situation forsociety awareness raising;

83

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly


84

CO

NN

EC

TIO

NS

Spe

cial

Ita

ly

c. Recovery and support todetainees for social reintegration byproviding therapies, socio- recreational,educational and vocational activities,including drama, musical, dancing andsport therapies inside the prisons;

d. Socio-recreational activitiesand assistance for women in the prisonsof Baabda, Verdun, Tripoli and Zahle;

e. Awareness and support to theISF personnel and relevant institutionsthrough the exchange of experience andcollaboration with representatives ofItalian authorities for the respect ofhuman rights;

f. Legal assistance for thedetainees who are awaiting trial and/orhave served their penalty.


WAYS Publication - Esteri › ambasciata_beirut › ... · 11 C ONNECTIONS Special Italy †...

Documents

Transcript of WAYS Publication - Esteri › ambasciata_beirut › ... · 11 C ONNECTIONS Special Italy †...