EMBASSY HIGHLIGHTS
Small Agricultural Businesses Increase Sales with Help from the American People
April 18, 2007  |
| Small business and cooperatives sell their dairy products at hospitality show... |
The U.S. Government is responding to the needs of Lebanese cooperatives and small and medium sized enterprises by helping them expand economic opportunities in the agro-industry sector. The U.S.-funded Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon (ASAIL) project launched the first cheese festival in Lebanon, as part of the annual HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) show.
Attended by more than 15,000 visitors, the event featured more than thirty small and medium sized enterprises and cooperatives that produce cheese products. Apart from cheese, products such as distillates, jams, pickles, syrups, dried fruits and other traditional Lebanese products were also displayed at the show. As a direct result of the event, participating small businesses were able not only to sell products worth $8,000, but also to establish contacts with more than one hundred business providers and make promising business leads.
This initiative falls within the U.S. Government-funded Expanding Economic Opportunity in Lebanon program at a level of $6 million. The program provides assistance to small and medium sized enterprises and cooperatives, including services such as business development, marketing and promotion, access to credit, quality control training and product development. More than 6,000 producers, cooperatives and small businesses benefit from this program in the Beqaa, South Lebanon and North Lebanon. The program covers the agricultural and dairy sectors of small ruminants (goats and sheep), as well as niche market products (cheese, pastries, pickles, jams and processed foods).
For the most up-to-date information on U.S. assistance to Lebanon, please read the Lebanon Situation Reports.
