PRESS RELEASES 2007

USAID Opens Unique Pilot Plant for Baked Products in Saida

April 17, 2007

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef inaugurated a USAID-funded pilot plant in Saida on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in the presence of representatives from several ministries, Parliamentarians from the South, mayors, President of the Saida Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and heads of business associations.

Mr. Youssef opened a first-of-its-kind pilot plant that promotes baked products, pastries, oriental sweets and biscuits, which are Saida’s specialty. The center provides specialized services to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural cooperatives and individual food processors in developing their products, testing them at the laboratory, improving their quality and prolonging their shelf life. The center also disseminates technical information and research that serves the entire area.

USAID funded the establishment of this center in partnership with ACDI-VOCA (Agriculture Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance) and the Saida Chamber of Commerce, as part of USAID’s work in the agribusiness sector. USAID is also funding the establishment of other similar centers in Tripoli and Zahle, to help local food processors in these areas develop and experiment with new products with minimal financial investment.

These centers fall within the USAID-funded ASAIL (Action for Sustainable Agro-Industry in Lebanon) project implemented by ACDI-VOCA. The ASAIL project provides assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives, technical assistance to farmers and small ruminant producers, facilitates access to credit for farmers, as well as other agricultural activities. Agricultural and dairy sectors covered under the program include small ruminants (sheep and goats), as well as niche market products (cheese, pastries, pickles, jams, processed foods). The ASAIL project constitutes a total USAID investment of $6 million for North Lebanon, South Lebanon and the Beqaa.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID provides $40 million assistance a year and works in partnership with U.S. and Lebanese organizations throughout the country. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development.

For more information about USAID’s projects in Lebanon, visit USAID’s website http://lebanon.usaid.gov.

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