BEIRUT - Bank Byblos’ “Lebanon this week” reports that the Ministry of Industry, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched a project to establish a database of industrial statistics that will lead to the issuance of periodic indicators on industrial activity such as industrial production and exports. The survey will identify all industrial companies with 5 or more employees, as well as compile financial data, payroll and other relevant information.

The project aims to evaluate the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product of Lebanon. The survey is expected to take five months to complete, while the results will be published within one year. The project’s cost of 295 000$ will be equally financed by the Ministry and UNIDO. The project is part of the integrated program formulated by UNIDO for the development of the Lebanese industrial sector. It will be implemented in collaboration with the geographic unit of the Lebanese Army.