The economic bodies, led by former Minister Mohamed Choucair, met with the Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat, and in the presence of the Director-General of the Ministry, Mohamed Abu Haidar. The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber, in the context of the work of the joint crisis cell between the public and private sectors, which was agreed to be established during the bodies’ meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam last Wednesday.
A statement issued by the meeting stated that its purpose is to move forward in studying the set of demands presented by the bodies, which seek to support the ability of private institutions and companies to withstand and enable them to continue carrying out their responsibilities towards their employees.
The meeting included an extensive discussion about the severe economic crises afflicting the country, and the increasing losses incurred by the national economy in both the public and private sectors. The details of the bodies’ basket of demands were also scrutinized, including its contents and the possibility of achieving them, in addition to other items added to the discussion.
Attendees praised the actions taken by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor and the National Social Security Fund to extend the legal deadlines.
In turn, Minister Al-Bassat stated that he will continue working on studying the possibility of implementing the proposed provisions with the parties concerned, provided that another meeting will be organized to follow up and evaluate what has been accomplished and discuss any new needs according to developments in the economic and social conditions.
