Today, the President of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (GCLW), Mr. Ghassan Ghosn, accompanied by the Head of the Lebanese Union for tobacco and tunbac sector workers Mr. Abou Talal Fakih, visited the Regie’s President and General Manager, Mr. Nassif Seklaoui in his office at Hadath Headquarter. Together, they walked in “Manchar souwar” exhibition, which was inaugurated last Tuesday.
During his visit, Ghosn congratulated Seklaoui for the significant development that the Regie had lately achieved in the domain of modern technologies, in the first place, and for being awarded the ISO certification, in the second place.
Ghosn said: “as long as we preserve and develop our production, we will create it an important role in the domain of international industry, especially that the quality of this sector reflects the quality of our land. Tobacco plant represents the “plant of precision” as President Berri had described it.
He added: ““Manchar souwar” exhibition was inspired by the twine used to hang tobacco leafs and the farmers hardly working in their lands, who became the symbol of precision to stay in the Land. Photographs are the best example of the farmer’s relation with his land that is his only resource for living.”
He concluded: “I would like to congratulate Mr. Seklaoui for this magnificent work. As per t March in the presence of representatives of Lebanese security, judicial, military, and public institutions; of 70 Arab and European countries; and of the UN, agreed upon a series of recommendations meant to be a corner stone of a joint national plan to fight illegal trade, smuggling, and counterfeit. Such activities cost Lebanese government around $1 billion annually. Among the recommendations are enhancing coordination and awareness, updating legislations and laws, strengthening the mechanisms of controlling and managing borderlines, and backing national industry.
Eng. Seklaoui stressed as well that a proposition will be duly sent to the Cabinet to adopt March 20th as a national day of fighting illegal trade.
In response, President Aoun hailed the Regie’s achievements and the development that was accomplished, meriting the administration Arab and international trust. In addition, he deemed combatting corruption, smuggling, and counterfeit as a major national effort in which everybody must participate, namely local associations and foundations, and citizens without being limited to relevant public institution.
At the end of the meeting, Seklaoui submitted to the President the wining photography in the competition commemorating tobacco plant.