Deputy United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Philippe Lazzarini Monday reassured Industry Minister Wael Abu Faour of the importance the U.N. places on buying products from Lebanese companies, emphasizing that the agency favors local products.
He said the U.N. had invested nearly $500 million in 450 Lebanese suppliers, which have created over 800 jobs since the beginning of the economic crisis. The World Food Program purchased important quantities of Lebanese wheat flour and vegetable oil since the beginning of the year, he emphasized.
He also said that in 2018 alone the U.N. invested about $250 million through public institutions to allow ministries and municipalities to maintain basic social services.
Lazzarini and Abu Faour agreed that they will meet with the Association of Lebanese Industrialists to discuss how to reinforce this cooperation and ensure that the U.N. continues its policy of buying Lebanese goods.
