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Tobacco Agriculture
came about in 1625, in the mountain of Lebanon and
in different regions (South, north and Beqaa). At
first it focused on oriental plant, then it converted
to Turkish and Greek plants.
It evolved with time until it became the most important
agricultural sector in Lebanon. Tobacco has played
a very important role in the Lebanese economic and
social life. More than 45000 people earn their living
from Tobacco leaf growing.
In 1895, the manufacturing of cigarettes began,
particularly in the villages of Jwar-Al-Jawz, Hammana
and Antelias. The "tobacco agriculture and
cigarettes industry" was an independent business,
under no government control. The number of tobacco
plant growers increased due to lack of regulations
on the sector. Prices of Tobacco leaf witnessed
a sharp decrease due to the fierce competition between
the growers, thus the sector suffered substantial
losses. The tobacco leaf growers were under submission
of rules put in force by the owners of cigarette
factories, until the monopoly rules were put by
the government.
Since Lebanon and Syria were both under the French
mandate during that era, they had followed the same
path as France, which had reinstated the monopoly
state through the setting up of an agency to manage
the monopoly.
In order to protect the tobacco leaf growers, whose
livelihoods depend on tobacco growing, and to increase
the tobacco prices, the government assigned a management
committee that would manage all tobacco cultivation
and industries for the next 25 years.
Based on the High Commissioner's
decision nr. 16 L.R. issued on January 30, 1935,
the Regie was assigned the management of the monopoly
of procurement, manufacturing and selling of tobacco
and tombac.
In
1935, the monopoly was officially established under the name of "Societe Anonyme de Regie Co-Interessee Libano-Syrienne des Tabacs et Tombacs."
The government set the rules and conditions according to which the newly formed management committee would operate. One of those conditions stated that the company's return emanating from the business would amount to 5%.
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In
1959, the administrative, and financial responsibilities of the Regie, as well as the conflicts that may arise were put under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance as stipulated by the legislative decree nr. 151 issued on 12 June 1959.
After the 25 years elapse the government renewed the institution's term for anther 10 years. |
| In
1974, ten years had elapsed, however
due to the civil war turmoil, the monopoly's
terms were then only extended on a yearly
basis. |
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On
28 November 1991, the Council of Ministers
appointed a temporary management committee
to manage the Regie according to the laws
in force. On March 20, 1992 decree nr. 1943/1
promulgated the internal regulations for the
appointed temporary management committee.
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| On
14 July 1992, a new temporary management
committee was appointed by the Council of Ministers to manage the Regie. |
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On
17 March 1993, Mr. Nassif Seklaoui
was appointed as "Regie's General Manager".
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| On
3 July 1996, the Council of Ministers
appointed Dr. Issam Selman as "Management
Committee Member". |
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On
27 December 1999, the Law nr 157 terminates
retroactively, the contractual relationship
between the Lebanese Republic and the Regie
as of 31/12/1974. |
| On
11 December 2001, Eng. Nassif Seklaoui
was appointed as " President of the Management
Committee" and his mandate as general manager
was renewed. |
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On
11 December 2001, Mr. Mohammad Ballouz
was appointed by the Council of Ministers
as a new "Management Committee Member". |
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