Italy will contribute EUR 1.5 million towards a project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to support the economic recovery in Southern and Northern Lebanon and in the Bekaa Valley.

An agreement on this was signed in Vienna today by UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella, and the Permanent Representative of Italy to UNIDO, Ambassador Gianni Ghisi. Lebanese Ambassador Ishaya El-Khoury also took part in the ceremony.

The project will focus on technical assistance and revitalizing small and medium agro-processing enterprises affected by the 2006 war. It will help enhance the livelihoods in rural areas through technology transfer and promotion of non-farm income-generating activities. From 25 to 30 agro-enterprises and up to 250 rural households will benefit from the project.