U.S. Supports Akkar Trade Fair to Assist Micro-Enterprises (December 18, 2009)

December 18, 2009

With support from the United States, in December 18, 2009 sixty local producers from the communities around Naher El Bared Camp and Akkar gathered in Sheikh Taba village at the opening of the Akkar Trade Fair to exhibit and market their products and services including agricultural products, local foods, handicrafts and garments, and other items. 

The trade fair is being held at the National Orthodox School in Sheikh Taba and will run for three days through December 21.  The goal of the fair is to help local residents develop businesses and services that will help attract visitors to Akkar  and in turn, have a positive effect on the local economic development of the area through increased income and potential  investment in the area.  Speaking at the event, USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise Herbol applauded the connections being built between local producers and potential customers through the fair.

The fair was made possible through funding from the United States, and was implemented through cooperation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Relief International (RI).  This project is part of USAID’s $20 million Municipal Capacity Building and Service Delivery program that empowers municipalities and communities consisting of 170 villages, in North and South Lebanon and around the Naher El Bared Camp, to democratically engage for advancing income generation and job creation in rural areas.