Information International was born of a need to provide quality information in the fields of survey research, database collection and analysis in the Arab world.

Seven years into our stated mission to meet those demands, we would like to address a complimentary task - providing a forum where news can be shared.

With this newsletter, we would like to engage a greater constituency in our goals to disseminate accurate & valuable information, and explore opportunities in tune with the changing political and economic realities in Lebanon.

The importance of accurate facts, reliable research and unbiased statistical data in decision-making in the private sector, as well as in public policy, requires our attention and we aim to tackle events, activities, thoughts and developments which are of interest to our readers.

We believe that fair and independent representation, not enmeshed in sectarian controversy nor entrapped in scandal and sensationalism, is a niche that we can fill to better serve our audience. So we invite you, our valued clients and the potential long-term reader, to continue to check us out and to ensure that we abide by our stated mission.

We welcome accountability and will be quick to redress any error.
 

Jawad Adra
Managing Partner

  Current Statistics

• 12,470 new cars were sold in Lebanon in 2001, compared to approximately 25,000 cars per year in the last few years. The sale of used cars in 2001 reached 28,552.

• The number of villages and towns in Lebanon number 1385, distributed over 6 mohafazas and 26 districts.

• Retirees’ salaries reached LL 600 billion in 2002.

• Salaries and remunerations for about 15,200 employees at 65 Lebanese banks amount to LL 620 billion.

• The cost of one-hour use of the Salon of Honor to welcome dignitaries at the airport carries a price tag of LL 500,000.

• There are 1,526 pharmacies in Lebanon, whereas the number of pharmacists exceeds 3,500.

• The Tender’s department has concluded contracts estimated at LL 106 billion in 2001.

• In the year 2000, the Ministry of Municipalities and Interior distributed LL 100 billion from the revenues of the Municipality Fund to 13 municipality unions and 685 municipalities.

• Compensation for the Gambling Control Committee at the Casino Du Liban reaches LL 38 million per year. The committee includes Directors General at the Ministries of Finance and Tourism.

Who we are & what we do

The Social and Cultural Development Association (Inma), an NGO founded in 1997 by a number of Information International’s partners, has come to play an active role in generating specialized resources and services in a few clusters of Lebanese villages.

Its grassroots programs and activities include:
• Creating job opportunities in Lebanon’s rural areas, especially for women, through vocational training and income-generating activities.
• Boosting child education levels with computer training centers, language courses and public libraries.
• Providing essential health care services to targeted communities with operational medical clinics.
• Offering community-based children's programs with summer camps and safe playgrounds.
• Enhancing environmental, basic rights and community awareness through workshops and conferences.
• Assisting infrastructure and housing project development in rural areas, with an emphasis on environmental and cultural factors.

The areas covered by Inma include 19 villages in North Lebanon, 18 villages in South Lebanon, 8 villages in Mount Lebanon and 8 villages of the Bekaa.
 

Program Beneficiaries

Approximately 8000 patients have received medical care since 1997, while income-generating activities such as chocolate, dried foods, olive oil and jam production have benefitted close to 100 women.

Inma’s libraries have over 2000 members and the computer center has over 350 graduates. In terms of the environmental and agriculture program, 300 farmers have been part of an awareness campaign, educating them on pesticide use & plant epidemics.

International Funding

Experience in implementing projects with other NGOs and exploring new development has been a part of Inma’s background.

Having financed all its programs the first two years, Inma still maintains its grassroots origins but has also gained the trust of international agencies. Donors include USAID, the Canadian and Japanese embassies, Amideast and the YMCA.