Abdel Samad Meets Al-Kaaki And Al-Sabah: Keen On Media Production Given Its Cultural Importance, Economic Impact

Caretaker Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad, received this Wednesday Head of the Press Syndicate, Awni Al-Kaaki, and producer Sadiq Al-Sabah, who said after the meeting: “We, the Association of TV and Film Producers in Lebanon, have explained to Minister Abdel Samad the problems of the sector as a result of the ongoing lockdown.”

He pointed out that “the sector has set up a healthy island to protect its workers.”

“We asked Minister Abdel Samad to help us exclude the sector from lockdown restrictions so that its workers would not end up seeking jobs abroad. We have obligations during the month of Ramadan that we will not be able to implement if the lockdown continues,” he explained. “Every year, half a billion dollars enter Lebanon. We will lose this amount this year as we will not be able to sell our productions to foreign companies.”

In turn, Minister Abdel Samad said “this sector is essential in Lebanon, especially because it is characterized by quality. It is a differential advantage for Lebanon as a media and media production sector, and it is necessary not to lose it. If media production companies migrated, it will be difficult for them to return because there is great competition, be it from neighboring and Arab countries or Western countries.”

“We have to encourage and support this sector, given its cultural and financial importance, and create an environment for it to work in safety as it contributes to moving the economic wheel,” she stressed.

Abdel Samad told her guests she would pass on the association’s request to the coronavirus Committee, noting “the importance of taking risk-adjusted measures,” stressing that “the delicate circumstances require self-monitoring and the participatory responsibility of all.”

“I am keen on the media production sector, especially since we were working at the Ministry of Information on a project to establish a Media Incubator, in cooperation with the Ministries of Industry and Telecommunications, media companies and other competent authorities in the public and private sectors, to encourage media production in Lebanon through a series of legal, technical and professional incentives such as tax exemptions, studio rentals, etc..” she added, expressed her “fear of losing this sector and companies as they form a basic pillar for the Lebanese economy.”

NNA