Friday, July 02, 2010
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=116627#axzz0siWMRqVB

BEIRUT: The first workshop on renewable energy was launched in Beirut Thursday under the patronage of Environment Minister Mohammad Rahhal.

The workshop was dubbed “Renewable Energy & Environment: a knowledge based Development initiative” and was organized by the Lebanese nongovernmental group Young Men’s Christian Association.

It was funded by the Spanish Cooperation, within the framework of its project to develop technical and scientific tools and capacities for the preservation and sustainable management of forest resources and for the dynamization of rural population in Lebanon and Syria.

Juan Carlos Gafo Acevedo, Spain’s Ambassador to Lebanon and Rahhal both attended the launching ceremony.

Rahhal confirmed the Environment Ministry was multiplying its efforts despite budget cuts and noted that the policy statement mentioned activating renewable energy methods.

He stressed the need for cooperation and said: “The ministry has presented a draft law in order to exempt ecological projects from Customs fees.”

The Spanish Cooperation’s project is funded with more than $450,000 by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. It’s implemented by the Technological Forestry Center of Catalonia, in close collaboration with the Environment Ministry.