In a ceremony hosted by the Lebanese Regie for Tobacco at its Hadath headquarters, Dr. Youssel Al Khalil, the Minister of Finance in the caretaker government, shared his perspective on the currently-debated budget in the Parliament. He emphasized that, despite challenges and ongoing discussions, the draft budget is focused on achieving “financial and monetary stability (...) and revitalizing the economic landscape.” In the presence of MP Muhammad Al Khawaja, representing the Speaker and the Council of Ministers, Dr. Al Khalil pledged a positive approach to proposed amendments, both scientific and realistic, with a commitment to boosting state revenues to enhance financial balance and facilitate the implementation of or urgent projects.
The ceremony dedicated to honoring the outstanding achievements of the children of the Regie workers and farmers who excelled in the official certification exams, along with its family members who are actively pursuing university studies for personal development, was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Finance, presidents of tobacco farmers’ unions in the south, the north and the Bekaa, and representatives of international tobacco companies. Participants also included the government commissioner and financial controller, members of the management committee, engineers George Hobeika, Mazen Abboud, and Dr. Issam Salman.
Al Khalil
Al-Khalil expressed his confidence in Lebanon’s resilience and its potential for rejuvenating its institutions and departments, particularly guided by a model like the Regie.
Addressing the outstanding students, he encouraged them, stating that “success awaits you through perseverance and following the right paths of development, nurtured by home education and under the auspices of this institution. Your success is intertwined with the resilience of your family, the farmers, some of whom sacrificed their lives on the very soil that continues to yield with every tobacco seedling, cultivated through hard work and dedication. Today, I chose to be among you to draw inspiration and determination from your achievements, embodying the spirit of drive and optimism that has been crucial for the survival of our nation.”
He went on to state, "despite the various threats endangering Lebanon's stability on multiple fronts, including economic and social aspects, we are determined to overcome these challenges through solidarity and responsibility; our journey will lead us to a phase of revival and reform , aiming to achieve the much-needed social justice."
Emphasizing the ongoing discussion surrounding the general budget, he urged a positive approach towards each proposal and every scientifically and realistically sound amendment to its provisions, that aligns with the nation’s highest financial interest and order. He also stressed the importance of actively “working towards increasing state revenues, thereby strengthening the financial balance, essential to the implementation of urgent projects. These projects, he noted, are crucial for increasing the GDP, and providing fundamental services, particularly in the areas of social welfare, healthcare, educational and other services.”
He also stressed out that " despite the clamor surrounding it, this budget remains central to the trajectory of correction and reform initiated with the 2022 budget. The primary goal is to ensure sustainable financial and monetary stability while giving a boost to the economic cycle, fostering job opportunities that attract Lebanon's youth."
Seklaoui
Seklaoui initiated his speech by requesting the audience to observe a moment of silence in honor of the recent martyrs in the south namely martyr Qasim Ibrahim Abu Taam, son of the former employee Ibrahim Abu Taam, and the martyrs from the farming community: Hussein Ali Srour from Aita al-Shaab, Taha Abbas Taha from Aitaroun, Ahmed Hassan Abboud from Deir Aames and Nassifa Mazraani from Houla.
“The Regie’s employees’ children are as valuable to us as the employees’ themselves,” he said. “Similarly, the children of the Regie’s farmers hold as much value for us as the farmers themselves”. He continued: “As we celebrate today with great joy, we cannot ignore the profound sorrow that accompanies it as our brothers in Gaza are facing tragic losses and our people on the border stand resilient against a ruthless adversary that acknowledges neither humanity nor boundaries."
He addressed the farmers in the south stating that: “Every day you prove that you are the forefront of resistance. With one hand you hold the tobacco seedlings and with the other you uphold your unwavering resilience. Congratulations to us, to the land, and to the south for having individuals like you, armed with love for the land and dedication to tobacco cultivation. Furthermore, congratulations to us for having children like yours who strive to equip themselves with knowledge and education.”
Stressing that the Regie’s commitment to hosting this celebration serves as “a defiant gesture against the repeated attacks on our people in the south,” he remarked: “The swift completion of crop receipts under precarious security conditions, whether through the dedicated efforts of our employees or the transportation of farmers’ crops scattered on the outskirts of towns exposed to constant bombardment, conveys a clear message. It affirms our commitment to stand by our people in difficult circumstances, as this institution was established for resilience since 1993 through tobacco cultivation.”
He recalled that the distinct qualities that have set the Regie apart in recent years were “professionalism, production capacity, industrial quality, and professional competence...” He also underscored the trust bestowed upon it by His Excellency the Minister of Finance, and H.E. Nabih Berri’s patronage of the institution.
Describing the honorees, he portrayed them as “a reflection of this institution and the best image of it." Much like the Regie, they are characterized as "self-made, ambitious, resilient fighters who have contributed to building the land, distinguished in their achievements, and supportive of excellence."
He stressed that the Regie collaborated closely with the “farmers’ unions (...) in order to achieve administrative, union and community integration.” Together, they worked towards implementing a sustainable development plan, with a focus on supporting education and investing in human capital. Their joint efforts aimed to combat child labor and provide study aids from Philip Morris International for hundreds of farmers’ children. Additionally, there were in-kind contributions from various companies to support the towns of Akkar, the South, and the Bekaa.
He mentioned that over the past few months, the Regie has conducted “a series of vocational and educational guidance programs for the children of tobacco and tobacco farmers throughout Lebanon.”
The aim was to mitigate school dropout rates and equip young individuals with the necessary qualifications required to get job opportunities. Prior to this initiative, the Regie celebrated the achievements of its dedicated work family members who obtained higher degrees from prestigious and international institutes.”
He concluded by saying: "Today we meet with you as students of knowledge, but we are confident that in the near future we will meet with you as decision-makers, productive contributors, and active members of society."
Fakih
As for the President of the Union of Trade Unions of Workers in Tobacco and Tumbac Agriculture, Hassan Fakih, he noted “under Seklaoui’s management“, the Regie has actively sought elements of enlightenment, development, improvement and brilliance, ultimately shaping it into what it is today.”
Fakih commended the institution for this initiative “to once again recognize and support the children of farmers, standing by them in a country where institutional challenges are prevalent.”
He believed that “honoring innovators and achievers has become a defining characteristic of the Regie”, serving as a “a glimmer of hope in a country overshadowed by grievances, pain, and frustration.”
Fakih extended a message of gratitude stating: “Our appreciation this year is significant, particularly for taking the initiative to expedite the receipt of crops from our people in areas of tension that were subject to aggression, thereby saving these crops and the people from great trouble."
He stressed the importance of “concentrating agriculture within the hands of genuine farmers" ensuring that "tobacco cultivation should remain a family-based enterprise exclusively managed by Lebanese farming families."
He also expressed desire for a serious discussion with companies and the Regie about promoting agriculture based on cooperative principles supervised by unions and at affordable prices. Additionally, he expressed hope to “resume work on the sustainable agricultural development program soon.”
The event was concluded by distributing commemorative medals to the honorees.