Minister of Finance Reviews the Achievements of the Regie’s Anti-Smuggling Body
Caretaker Finance Minister, Youssef Khalil, held discussions with the President - Director General of the Lebanese Regie for Tobacco, Eng. Nassif Seklaoui.
Present was Eng. Mohamed Daher, Head of the Anti-Smuggling Body at the Regie, along with a delegation of team leaders. They presented the department’s efforts in combating counterfeit and smuggled goods, including the seizure of illicit factories across various Lebanese regions.
Following the meeting, Seklaoui emphasized the Minister’s acknowledgment of the Anti-Smuggling body’s effectiveness despite its limited manpower. He highlighted the significant achievements made in 2024, underscoring the importance of determination and support in combating smuggling, as evidenced by the successful outcome of numerous raids conducted across various governorates, resulting in the confiscation of factories, warehouses, and illicit goods, which contributed significantly to the wealth of the State and the treasury. This accomplishment underscores the pivotal role played by Minister Khalil, who responded attentively to the Regie’s concerns regarding a fundamental aspect of its sustainable development strategy: combating smuggling. Without the Minister’s support and responsiveness to the Regie’s perspective on this critical issue, such remarkable progress would not have been attainable. Seklaoui announced an upcoming press conference to showcase the seized equipment and goods. Furthermore, Seklaoui revealed that fines resulting from raids and confiscation in four months during 2024 totaled 50 billion Lebanese Pounds.