The Regie’s President and General Manager Mr. Nassif Seklaoui received in his office MP Hadi Hbeich accompanied by a number of Akkar local mayors. Seklaoui discussed with the delegation the reality of tombac agriculture in the governorate, and took knowledge of some problems that farmers encounter, indicating his willingness to help in solving such.
The delegation included Head of Sahel Akkar mayoral union Mr. Imadeddine Ali Al-Ali, Naher Estwan mayoral union Mr. MAhmoud Al-Cheikh, Central and Costal Qati’e mayoral union Mr. Issam Jaber, and the Head of mayoral union association Mr. Zaher Al-Kisa’a.
The delegation thanked the Regie’s administration and workers for their “work, responsiveness, and effectiveness in purchasing the tombac harvest in Akkar that was totally concluded by November 28th, a record time of less than one month.”
Later, the delegation offered Seklaoui a shield.
ake several major achievements, but not all of them are publically exposed”, he said.
He stressed that for more than two decades the Regie has worked on “building trust among workers, farmers, customers, and international companies” and has been interested in developing tobacco industry.
“Tobacco farming currently sustains 25 thousand Lebanese households in different regions”, and “the farm’s confidence strengthens us”, he said. “In this industry, it is no coincidence that international companies are asking to sign contracts with the Regie. Hence, we are producing 23 local and international brands and taking the lead on the regional tobacco map. Our credibility has gone beyond our borders.”
“Regie’s development and firm steps in agriculture and industry enabled it to “provide 7.5% of the national treasury’s annual revenues”.”It is the ministry’s confidence encouraging us”, he said.
“Since national economy and our people in disadvantaged areas are our biggest concern, we launched a sustainable development plan to serve the community. Our projects have so far covered 15 districts in Akkar, Bekaa, and the South. Projects varied between environmental, economic, social, and educational. Support has been extended to more than 180 municipalities in various regions; some of them were totally neglected, in Bekaa and Akkar, where people’s basic needs have not been provided”, Seklaoui stressed.
“After a long journey of qualitatively developing its cadre and performance, the Regie, has become the first public facility to be awarded ISO 9001/2015 for the third year”.
He said that during the current year, the Regie had carried out an unprecedented step in combating smuggling, by organizing the first national conference to combat illegal trade. The President, the Speaker, and the Prime Minister were briefed about the conference’s recommendations”.
“Moreover, youth and talents concern the Regie” which in recent years has organized photography competitions, and displayed artworks in Manchar Souar exhibition”. Not to mention that it has won the Beach Football Championship six times. He added: “Because media can spot our achievements and give hope to the others, the Regie made itself accessible by developing its website and Facebook page, which is followed by more than 160 thousand persons.”
Seklaoui underlined “the great role of media outlets”, hoping “to highlight the achievements of public utilities, as there are models that can make a difference, and set an example”. He concluded: “by serving people, let us address to people what gives them confidence in their establishment, many of whose facilities deserve trust”.
Prior, the Head of the Public Relations Department, Nahla Slim, had made a welcoming speech in which she stressed the Regie’s pride of its relation of trust and mutual respect with the Lebanese media.