ESCWA’s REGION WORKSHOP FOR TRADE
FACILITAION FOR SME’s
On Improving Private Sector Competitiveness in
the MENA Region
Presented by
Atef Wafic Idriss
MEFOSA 2006
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Editorial
Solving Arab Problems Requires Grasping
New Realities
You cannot smile at all. You are in Beit Hanoun:The human situation in
Beit Hanoun village north of Gaza citySunday 5th Nov. 2006
Those two photos can speak for themselves. A moment of peaceful demonstration and protest has
turned into a moment of death for two civilian women and injuries for others! Protestors were
calling upon the Arab leaders and the world community to intervene to stop the Israeli operation.
Just imagine the situation.
Cooperation & External Relations Department. Agricultural Development Association (PARC)-Gaza
MEFOSA 2006
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Arab Foods in International and Regional Trade
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The MENA Region has good export potential for
processed food products, they are constrained by
high trade barriers in many developed countries
 For instance, from January to June 2001, 27% of
food exports from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and
Syria to the United States were rejected by the
USFDA due to non-compliance with the U.S.
safety measures (filth, microbiological
contamination, greater than permitted levels of
pesticide residues or food additives) and 58%
due to labeling problems
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Foodborne Disease in the Middle East
Limited surveillance information
 Egypt periodic reports on outbreaks; tourist illnesses rarely
documented
 Some outbreaks
 Local, e.g., a cake with Salmonella Typhi in Saudi Arabia;
botulism in Egypt from uneviscerated fish, US forces with
locally provided boxed lunches (undetermined agent)
 Specific studies
 School meals in Bahrain
 Echinococcosis in Palestinian Arabs: Christian, Druze and
Muslims (dogs as a source)
 Microbial counts of seafood in Saudi Arabia
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Microbial Foodborne Pathogens
Pathogen
Implicated Foods
Disease
Bacillus cereus
Rice, vegetables, meat
Mild vomiting and diarrhea
Clostridium
perfringens
Stews, chili, etc. (anaerobic)
Cramps, diarrhea
Staphylococcus
aureus
Meat (ham), dairy, foods, pasta
Vomiting, cramps and
diarrhea
Salmonella
Eggs, meat, fruit, juices, spices,
chocolate, etc.
Moderate GI symptoms
Campylobacter
Chicken, meat
More severe GI symptoms
with bloody diarrhea
E. coli O157:H7
Ground beef, juices, sprouts,
water, etc.
Severe colon lining and
kidney damage
Listeria
monocytogenes
RTE foods, e.g., deli meats,
smoked fish, soft cheese, etc.
GI symptoms, meningitis,
death
Clostridium
botulinum
Improperly canned/bottled food
(anaerobic)
Paralysis and GI symptoms,
death
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Surveillance Weaknesses in Many Countries
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Outdated food laws, standards and regulations
No centralized approach or coordination among departments and
agencies to food control with jurisdictional confusion and overlap
Lack of adequately trained personnel
Limited capacity for food control laboratories
Food industry is familiar with terms like GMPs, GHPs and HACCP
systems but has not ability or will to do these
Countries cannot compete effectively in the export market to be in
compliance with the SPS agreement
Conflict between public health objectives and facilitation of trade
and industry development
Limited opportunities for appropriate scientific inputs in decisionmaking processes
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MEFOSA’s VISION
MEFOSA sarl believes that safe food and
feed are a prerequisite for sustainable
development, and that the Arab Middle East
should develop its own food safety
prerequisites in full recognition with its own
socio-economic priorities, and in harmony
with international standards and norms, while
respecting the culture, family values and
quality of life throughout the MENA region.
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MEFOSA’s Comparative Advantages
MEFOSA Comp. Advantages
MEFOSA’s Business Values
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Our Professionalism
Number of years of experience in
this field
Our Achievements which build on
our Good Will, and reputation in
the Food Industry
Our Tailor Made Response to your
Needs.
Personalized Intervention (we are
always available to listen to your
objectives, to install a tailor made
program adapted to your particular
needs).
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Shared Knowledge with
Stakeholders (personnel,
customers, suppliers, and
partners).
Customer Satisfaction.
Continuous Improvement.
Ethical competition with
competitors
Commitment & Loyalty to
Stakeholders.
Client-focused business with a
consumer focus.
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Food Safety Consultancy
Agribusiness Consultancy
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Food Safety, Food Hygiene, Food
Traceability, as for the new EU directives
and laws.
Food Safety Audits and Training to
national and international food related
requirements: HACCP, GMP and Food
borne Illness.
Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR
100).
HACCP Implementation
Sanitation/GMP Audits: Sanitation and
Handling practices. To conduct an
independent audit using 21 CFR 110 as a
guide.
General EFSA/EU and FDA/USA
Compliance Audits: To comply with
FDA, USDA and EFSA regulations
regarding acceptable equipment and
Networking, Communication within
companies (ERP solutions) and address
supply chains sterilization practices.
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Agricultural primary production,
included horticulture
Forestry
Fisheries (maritime and fresh water) and
aquaculture (incl. health)
Land management (land reform, land
use planning and farm restructuring)
Rural infrastructure incl. irrigation and
drainage
Equipment definition (agriculture
equipment, laboratories...)
Crop protection and disease control
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Agro Industrial Consultancy
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HACCP Built by design
 Electro-Mechanical Design
 Electro-Mechanical Maintenance for
Plants
 Plant Process Reengineering,
Restructuring and Work Flow according
to International Standards and Food
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Safety regulations
Market Access E-commerce Site
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Market Access E-commerce site
IT Services and Process Control
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The portal allows an access to the
major food products from different
Arab and Lebanese geographical
indications.
 It provides Information Source for the
Lebanese Food Industry.
 The portal includes comprehensive ebusiness services which help the portal
members buy, sell, and market more
efficiently with an economical and
efficient way of sourcing and
transacting business throughout the
world.
 Food industry portal providing each
member with a private marketplace to
trade in a secure, neutral e-commerce
platform.
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Provide integrated solutions for the
commercial, industrial companies, and
specialized retail.
Front Office and IT solution provider
(networking, backup engines, security
engines, disaster backup, advanced
servers, and paper less and archiving
solutions.
Back Office & Business Integration ERP
consulting provider solution for small to
medium companies with flexibility in
licensing (one license for multiple sister
companies) with discounts on
implementations on the several
locations.
Try our leasing program procedure for
the ERP solution for the medium
companies in addition to yearly
maintenance contract.
HACCP, Traceability and ISO software.
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Trading and Commercial Services
From
Lebanon
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Investing Consultants in Food Industry and Marketing
List the consulting services you wish to offer our clients.
Marketing case studies for several regional
and international markets.
Export (foods), Marketing services, Exhibitions services
Market survey, Open new market
Private
label, Int. Supermarket orders (private & special foods).
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Technologies we distribute:
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Technologies we distribute:
Food Prevention Systems:
DECAGON Manufacturers of Biophysical Instrumentation
 Water Activity meters
 Thermal properties meters
 Plant research products
 Soil research products
 Soil moisture monitoring
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AGRIPOLE : Agro-Economic and
Food Safety SME Incubator
 80% delivering of Incubation services with business hosting
facilities, it will operate as an INCUBATOR CENTRE and
Business Accelerator
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20% delivering of Business Support Services and Business
Development Services for SMEs, it will operate as a
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (BDC)
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Generating successful companies and accelerating the growth
and success of entrepreneurial companies by providing them
with a comprehensive and integrated range of business support
resources and services, including (incubator space, business
support services, and clustering and networking opportunities)
that after “graduating” will leave the program financially viable
and freestanding”.
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MEFOSA 2006
AGRIPOLE : Agro-Economic and Food Safety
SME Incubator
AGRIPOLE : Agro-Economic and Food Safety SME Incubator
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AGRIPOLE : Agro-Economic and Food Safety SME Incubator
Developing Markets
Legal Framework Modernization
Objective 1. Facilitating Marco
Economic Initiatives: Great Arab
Free Trade Area (GAFTA), EuroMediterranean Association
(EUROMED), US (Free Zones) and
WTO accession, in order to help the
penetration of Lebanese SMEs’
services and manufactured products
in international markets
Objective 2.Linking Companies With
local & international food service
and catering Cies
Objective 4. Developing food safety,
rural, social and environmental
initiatives & Laws projects
Objective 3. Training and developing
Marketing and labeling tools such as
PDO (Protected Designation of
Origin), Lebanese “Terroir”…etc.
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Objective 5.Developing Food Standard
Norms & Accreditation Policies;
Assuming the conformity of the
production to Lebanese Food Laws
and Regulations, EFSA (European
Food safety Authority), FDA (BioT),
WTO-WHO (Codex) and FAO
Initiatives
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AGRIPOLE : Agro-Economic and Food Safety SME Incubator
Knowledge, R&D,
Improving Production
Performance
Objective 6. Establishing of
knowledge and information data
base about Agro Industrial
initiatives and integrating SMEs
into the information society and
economy
Objective 8 Development of Technical and
Scientific Human Resources in
Agriculture, Food Processing and
Related Sectors and provision of a well
educated, well trained, and a well
maintained work force supporting the
Agro-Economy and Agro-Tourist
industries
Objective 9 Generating an Integrated
Financial Development Plan for SMEs.
Objective 10 Improvement and upgrading of
the quality of the Lebanese food
products to meet the local and export
market standards & specifications
Objective 7: Reinforcing new product
development concepts and culture
Objective 11 Reinforcing linkages between
agriculture & industry
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MEFOSA & MoVE/SLFI VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT
Ten years of continued
deliberations on market
driven vocational
education in Lebanon
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2006 is the school
year startup in spite of
Israeli aggression!
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The Lebanese Association of Food Scientists
and Technologists (LAoFST)
was established in Beirut, Lebanon in 1996 to satisfy
the need of the increasing number of Food Scientists and
Technologists for our association of their own focused on
their interests. It is non political, non-profit association.
The main aim of The Lebanese Association of Food
Scientists and Technologists is to enhance the conditions of
the food industry by the sound application of the sciences
and technologies and by spreading knowledge concerning
the technology of food processing.
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Symposium involving Mid-East and N. Africa highlighting the region’s Food
Science, Food Safety and Food Industry drivers/concerns with speakers from
the different areas of MENA (Middle East North Africa) region.
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Lebanese Association for Geographic Appellation (LAGA)
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Geographical Indications Conclusions and Recommendations
The elaboration of a Legal Framework for Quality Labels
The creation of an Organism for Protected Designations. It
may be an Institute or a National Council. The National
Institute of Geographic Appellations
The institution is supposed to be able to provide instruments and
education to the Agro- Food producers and to watch their work and to
protect the Designations of Origin in the inside and outside of markets
Setting up, as soon as possible, a mechanism for surveying
the existing geographical indications and exploring the
available potential
The creation of supervisory mechanisms for geographical
indications (such as an ad hoc commission and/ or a
provisional delegation to qualified bodies, etc.) may be created
at the same time as the Institute or National council of
designations.
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MEFOSA 2006
MEFOSA and the Lebanese Association
for Marketing & Advertising (LAMA)
LAMA Mission Statement:
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Is established in Lebanon in 1995
 Is a non profit organization and shall not deal with any political issues
 Advertising Industry in Lebanon is witnessing a downturn
 Advertisers were left on the sidelines because of the lack of a formal
Association to streamline their prerogatives to defend their legitimate causes.
 LAMA was created to fill this gap. In 1996, a general assembly was elected
from affiliated members who represented around 60 % of total advertising
spend in Lebanon.
 The Association is created to improve the Marketing and Advertising
industry according to the Advertisers interests and concerns.
Much more information at : www.wfa-lb.org
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The Top 40 Arab Brands
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LU PROJECT ON AFLATOXIN REASERCH
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AUB / MSU& MEFOSA
American University of Beirut jointly with Michigan State University have ratified an
MoU with MEFOSA’s facilitation aiming to create a Food Safety Institute which
highlights on all food safety issues in the MENA region.
This institute was established in conjunction with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food
Sciences at AUB and the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center (NFSTC) at
MSU.
Recently Dr. Ewen Todd Director of NFSTC was invited to give a lecture stressing on
worldwide food safety issues (LAoFST organized this event) at AUB and Chamber
of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture at Beirut (CCIAB) on 16 – 17 May 2006.
For more information visit : www.foodsafe.msu.edu
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Institute of Family Business – School of Business
( LAU) organized many events & seminars at
LAU to discuss issues of concern.
Recent event opening of LAU’s program on
“Communication and Conflict in the Family
Business” between 15 – 18 March 2006 at
LAU.
Others relations were made with LAU’s Center
for Strategic Development (CSD) which
MEFOSA is a member in this center where
our team attended several courses in the
center emphasizing on auditing, business,
management, sales, networking, and others
which help in strengthening the basic steps of
any new enterprise and helps in general
knowledge and feedback. Recently CSD
published its newsletter which we share with
it as well.
For further information on LAU :
www.lau.edu.lb
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Institute for Social, Religious & Civil
Society Studies – ISORCS at Notre
Dame University at Louaize – Lebanon
organized many events and launched
educational courses. Recent courses was
under the title of “How to star an NGO”
under the supervision of the NGO
Management Program at LAU –
Louaize on 9 June 2005.
In the same aspect there was the event of
conference launching of NGO Degree
Program at NDU on 24 May 2006. The
courses and seminars stress on
organizing for concerned people who
might be engaged in the social, religious
and civil sectors and wish to strengthen
their feedback and vision.
Visit NDU website at : www.ndu.edu.lb
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United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Western
Asia (ESCWA)
MEFOSA participated in the : “Regional Seminar on Sustainable Development &
Competitiveness of the Agro-food Sector” at the United Nations House at Beirut,
Lebanon, between 1 – 2 December 2005 and in the:
Seminar “Arab – Palestinian Roundtable on Agricultural & Agro-Industrial
Development in the Gaza Strip” on 3 December 2005.
Strengthening Small & Medium Enterprises SME towards more productivity and
challenging aspects.
Environmental Standards & competitiveness of key economic sectors.
More information at: www.escwa.org.lb
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Projects Supported by the European
Commission in Lebanon
 EU
Industrial Modernization Project (ELCIM)
 EU Quality Project (Food Quality Committee)
 Strengthening Quality Management, Capabilities
and Infrastructure in Lebanon (QUALEB )
 Project No. EuropeAid/119802/D/SV/LB/4800/3
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(ADP Project)
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MEFOSA and Global Compact
A W Idriss participated in the review of the UN/ GC initiative
and we support its principales.
The Global Compact’s ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the
environment and anti-corruption enjoy universal consensus and are derived from:
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
 The International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work
 The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
 The United Nations Convention Against Corruption
The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere
of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the
environment, and anti-corruption.
For more information go to : www.unglobalcompact.org
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MEFOSA and World Health Organization
(WHO - EMRO)
MEFOSA participated in the expert meeting for the MENA initiative for
the regions Validation of Food Safety
Recent event attended by Mr. Atef Idriss was the seminar “Regional
Consultative Meeting on Food Safety Legislation” in Cairo between 26 – 28
June 2005 as a “WHO Temporary Adviser”.
For additional information about WHO visit it’s web site at: www.emro.who.int
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MEFOSA’s FUTURE INTERESTS IN FOOD POLITICS & SAFETY
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MEFOSA’s REASERCH INTERESTS IN SME PRODUCTIVITY
& MENA COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES
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MEFOSA’s SME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REVIEW &
THE BEST MENA FIT
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Our Associations and Partners
L
A
M
A
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PS: We recommend for further reading:
“A Modest Proposal”
By
Jonathan Swift
poverty, overpopulation – society’s ills have
changed little since 1729 when renowned satirist and
author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathan Swift, posited
a novel solution to Ireland’s pressing problems: use
children as food! Radical, fascinating and as
relevant as the day it was written.” Bük at :
www.bukamerica.com
“Hunger,
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Contact Details
Phone
FAX
00961 1 34 31 41
00961 3 32 99 66
00961 1 73 99 86
Mail
info@mefosa.com
Site
www.mefosa.com
Address
MEFOSA 2006
126 Sourati St., Lions Bldg # 301
Hamra, Beirut 1103-2120, Lebanon
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