Shorter Heads North, Visits Chamber of Commerce and UK Funded Projects

As part of his ongoing regional visits across Lebanon, British Ambassador Hugo Shorter visited the northern city of Tripoli on Thursday.

The visit was an opportunity to meet with the Chamber of Commerce in Tripoli, and see firsthand two UK funded projects: ‘Misso Spices’ and March NGO’s ‘Syria Street Cultural Cafe’ part of "the $610 million overall support the UK provides to Lebanon’s stability and prosperity," the British Embassy said in a statement.

Ambassador Shorter toured the historic Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles which dates back to 1103 AD, the House of Art in Mina, and laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Cemetery.

He said after the visit: "As always, I had a fascinating visit to Tripoli today. It was an opportunity to hear from the Chamber of Commerce about projects running aimed at providing economic opportunities which will make a real difference to people’s everyday lives."

"I reiterated our strong support to the continued unity, stability and security of Lebanon and its people. We have committed $610 million since 2011 to supporting Lebanon. I’m very proud to say that we support more than 1 in 5 Lebanese municipalities with a total of $30m over 18 months. By 2019 we will have reached over 1,440,000 people and more than 220 municipalities," Shorter added.

He also stated: "I am very pleased to inaugurate March’s Cultural blast and cafe in Syria Street: a meeting point for marginalized youth of Tripoli to use art and culture as catalysts for tolerance, reconciliation and peace building. I believe this is paying off as I saw many youths from Beb el Tebbeneh and Jabal Mohsen come together to perform in comedy plays inspired by their lives. I am proud that we, along with other donors, are playing an active role in the city’s development and its constant strive for unity and tolerance among its diverse communities."

Shorter noted that he "also had the opportunity to visit the flavorsome ‘Misso Spices’ and had a tour of their beautiful looking and smelling spices."

"This family owned business since 1991 received training and support from ‘INTAJ’, a UK funded project run by Mercy Corps. By March 2018 we will have invested $21.6 million in this program to support vulnerable Lebanese communities by increasing employment, training people in the skills required to get jobs, and building stronger businesses in the Bekaa and North Lebanon," he added.

UK Aid has invested in a $500,000 project spent on renovating the Old Souk through the Lebanon Host Communities Support Project (LHSP).

"In the next phase we will continue the rehabilitation of the Souks with an additional $1m, benefitting 550 shops owners," the ambassador said.

"I also toured the beautiful historical citadel of Raymond de St. Gilles. During my visit I laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by generations past and present, and the responsibility we all share to work towards peace," he added.