Launching PRIME project at BIAT
On the 26th of June 2014, and on the behalf of “ENPI-CBC MED” portfolio of projects, BIAT came up with an invitation that had integrated each of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Beirut and Notre Dame University ”NDU” together. In its role, BIAT launched “PRIME” project (Promoting Intergenerational learning in Mediterranean countries) in its premises at the chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli and North Lebanon.
Group Photo: From left to right: Mr.Fawaz Hamidi; director of BIAT, Ms Guida Minkara; project communication officer, BIAT, Mrs. Aline Farajian from the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Beirut, President of the jewelry designers in Tripoli; Mr. Khaled Al- Namel, President Toufic Daboussi representing the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli and North Lebanon, Dr. Roger Hajjar representing Notre Dame University- NDU, and the vice director of BIAT; Mr. Nasri Mouawad.
On the launching process, Mr. Fawaz Hamidi had embraced the audience with a presentation of BIAT that addressed its core functions and important effective roles in creating facilities and job opportunities through socio-economical development projects in the Northern region. On his part, President Toufic Dabbousi also had embraced the audience and explained the primordial role of the jewelry industry in the society. Besides, he added that the creativity as it reveals, is the most important element required to attract the Lebanese and Arab markets.
Moreover, the president of Jewelers Designers Syndicate in Tripoli and North Lebanon, Mr. Khaled Al-Namel was grateful for the initiatives issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli and North Lebanon and its partners that will radically offer new opportunities for the jewelry industry in Tripoli. Furthermore, Mr. Al Namel pinpointed on the historical background of the profession. He claimed that this profession is unique, and the jewelry market in Tripoli was from the most remarkable markets in the Arab world the reason is behind its distinctive designs and famous craftsmen. However, he believes that nowadays the industry is suffering economically and socially. Despite the presence of small factories, the industry endures lots of difficulties because of the lack of resources and new techniques. He added that “Prime” project will definitely contribute in helping and developing the gold industry.
On the practice, the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and industry and agriculture of Beirut, Mrs. Aline Farajian had exposed later throughout the event, the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture of Beirut mission and its projects with the socio economical impacts among which is “Prime”. On his function, Dr. Roger Hajjar from the Notre Dame University- Louaize presented the profile of the NDU University as well as its involvement in different projects. He mentioned that university is eager to collaborate with all the partners in implementing “Prime”.
Finally, and on behalf of BIAT, Prime communication officer; Miss Guida Minkara highlighted the objectives of the project, the fostering intergenerational learning within goldsmith and silversmiths, the development of transferable mentoring schemes for intergenerational learning and the transfer of core skills in the gold/silversmithing and gemology sectors. Ms.Minkara made it clear that the targeted groups are young entrepreneurs who are planning to start up or have recently started a business or taken over an existing family business or young entrepreneurs that are getting ready to run their family business in the silver/goldsmithing and gemology sectors. Adding up, the Programme main objective is to promote the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. Least and not last, the project finances cooperation projects as a contribution to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the Mediterranean region.
The Joint Managing Authority (JMA) is located in the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy); not to mention that partners in this projects come from: Lebanon, Egypt, Italy, and Greece, and the total budget for the project is 819.071 Euros, funded with a value of 737.163 Euros (or 90%) by the European Union.
- Statement about the Programme
The 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation initiative funded by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The Programme objective is to promote the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. It finances cooperation projects as a contribution to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the Mediterranean region. The following 14 countries participate in the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Syria (participation currently suspended), Tunisia. The Joint Managing Authority (JMA) is the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). Official Programme languages are Arabic, English and French (www.enpicbcmed.eu).