Fransabank and the Michel Issa Foundation for Local Development, in cooperation with Jbeil Municipal Counsil and Vitas, donated gifts and microloans to support local micro businesses in Jbeil area, particularly remote areas and villages in the region which suffer from displacement.
The ceremony was attended by the representative of President Michel Suleiman, Engineer Zafer Suleiman, representative of the parish priest, Bishop Michel Aoun, Monsignor Charbel Anton, Mayor of Jbeil Ziad Hawat, member of the Political Council of the Free Patriotic Movement Dr. Naji Hayek, Fransabank’s Deputy General Mananger Philip El Hajj, President of the Foundation Dr. Tony Issa, President of Vitas Ziad Halabi, and a crowd of politicians, mayors of the judiciary, and media representatives.
Issa began by saying that "the program’s main target is the people of Jbeil region and those with simple crafts whose circumstances may not allow them to develop their careers and trades. In addition to that, borrowing money may not be available to them very easily, or in some cases they can’t even bear the burdens of debt and interest repayment.”
He explained that "the program is not limited to grants and loans, but it also includes advice and assistance in the economic study of the project," stressing that "this program will continue as an annual activity because of its benefits in supporting the rural economy and enabling the villagers to overcome the difficulties faced in the productive sectors" .
Representing Fransabank, Hajj pointed out that "Fransabank's initiative today in launching this awards ceremony falls within the sustainable development goals which focus on creating a balanced development throughout the Lebanese territory, resulting in micro loans programs granted by Fransabank, and financing small and micro projects. Thus, Fransabank today pays USD 4,500 as the total amount of interests of 30 loans. Fransabank also pays 20 loans, a gift to the borrowers of Jbeil, whose applications have been accepted, for a total value of USD 20,000".
"Our initiative today is not the first initiative we launch specifically for Jbeil, and with our strategic partners. We are completing what we started in 2008 when we launched a similar initiative and reaffirmed our economic strategic vision," Hajj added.
In turn, Gibran thanked in his speech, on behalf of mayors, Fransabank and Michel Issa Foundation as well as Vitas, describing the initiative as “a national and important charitable work by the three institutions to stimulate the development of micro businesses, thus bring hope to the people of Jbeil and maintain the Lebanese heritage.”