Latest news with #Frem
L'Orient-Le Jour
02-05-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Plans to launch ferry linking Lebanon and Cyprus underway
BEIRUT — A passenger ferry linking Lebanon and Cyprus is set to launch soon, announced Cypriot Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades in an interview with Cyprus Mail on Tuesday. The initiative was also confirmed to L'Orient Today by Pierre Akl, managing director of supply chain at Lebanese manufacturing company INDEVCO Group, who is overseeing the project. The island could, so far, only be reached by plane or private boats. Launched in 2021 by MP and INDEVO Group CEO Neemat Frem, the plan was a longstanding ambition of Frem's father, according to Akl. 'It was initially meant to serve as an alternative in the event of war or airport disruption in Lebanon,' explained Akl. 'But it also establishes a direct European link through Cyprus and could help ease pressure on air travel. Around 100,000 passengers travel between Lebanon and Cyprus during the summer months.' Lebanon and Cyprus were once linked through ferry services, but this was halted over 20 years ago. 'A line operated by the Lebanese Forces ran between Larnaca and Jounieh for about two years during the Civil War before it was discontinued,' Akl recalled. Following the escalation of the Israeli-Hezbollah war in late September, many residents fled Lebanon by sea to Cyprus, as commercial flight options dwindled after all airlines — except the national carrier, Middle East Airlines — suspended operations in and out of the country. With MEA flights overwhelmed by surging demand and often fully booked, desperate travelers turned to exorbitantly priced yachts and ferrie s as their only remaining means of escape. 'This initiative is expected to boost economic activity and tourism,' said Frem to L'Orient Today. He added that the connection could even pave the way for joint itineraries linking the two countries, encouraging tourists headed for Cyprus to visit Lebanon on that same trip. 'Around five million tourists visit Cyprus per year. We could capitalize on this opportunity to attract visitors to Lebanon,' said Frem. Travel will also become easier for 'Cypriot businesses looking to expand into Lebanon, and vice versa,' the Cyprus Mail noted. Operations could begin by early summer 2025 According to Cyprus Mail, 'interest in the project picked up after the change of government in Lebanon earlier this year, in February.' A delegation from INDEVO, including Frem and Akl, met with Cypriot Transport Minister Vafeades last week to pitch the proposal. The minister reportedly welcomed the plan. Initial contact was facilitated through national investment authority Invest Cyprus, 'which acted as an intermediary and arranged all the meetings with the relevant authorities in Cyprus,' Akl said. Contacted, Invest Cyprus CEO Marios Tannousis said, 'It's early days [for the project]. This was a fact-finding mission by the investors.' The ferry will operate between the Larnaca and Jounieh (Kesrouan) ports (about 24 kilometers north of Beirut), with each crossing expected to take around four hours. Passengers holding Lebanese passports will be required to present valid EU Schengen visas to enter Cyprus. 'INDEVCO will establish a company in Cyprus to run the line, and will purchase the vessel which will sail under a Cypriot flag,' he added. 'We will operate only one ferry in the first phase, with a capacity of around 200 passengers.' According to a preliminary study conducted by the group, ferry tickets could be lower than plane tickets by 20 to 30 percent. 'They may go up to $200 and could go down to anything between $100 and $150 depending on the season, demand, and the load on the vessel,' Akl explained. In that case, Lebanese people would have the possibility of taking the ferry to Cyprus and catching more affordable flights to destinations across the Mediterranean and the world. 'There are a few approvals and clearances that are underway,' but operations may launch at the beginning of summer 2025 if all goes according to plan. Rachad Zeaiter, advisor to the Lebanese Public Works and Transport Minister for seaports and airport affairs, told L'Orient Today that the Jounieh port requires key infrastructure upgrades, 'including security scanners and the deployment of security forces and military men to manage the cross-border movement.' He says efforts are underway to assess and meet these requirements to facilitate the launch of Frem's project. An upcoming meeting is scheduled between INDEVCO and the ministry this week, Akl added.
LBCI
25-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Neemat Frem from Maarab: Municipal elections in alliance with LF, Kataeb, and Mansour El Bon
Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), met with MP Neemat Frem, the head of Project Watan, at the LF's headquarters in Maarab. Frem described the meeting as "special" and announced an electoral alliance with the LF for the upcoming municipal elections in Jounieh. Frem shared "happy news" for the people of Kesrouane, announcing that the electoral agreement has been completed, with both parties set to run the elections together, starting from Jounieh and expanding throughout Kesrouane. He emphasized that this municipal electoral agreement would benefit the residents of Jounieh, with the LF, the Kataeb Party, Sheikh Mansour El Bon, and his own movement forming a unified alliance. He also underscored the importance of proving that they can manage local and municipal affairs, enabling them to handle national issues effectively. On a different note, Frem expressed firm opposition to the proposed amendments to the parliamentary electoral law. "We completely reject these proposed amendments," he stated. He stressed the need for a discussion on modifying the current law and, if no consensus is reached, maintaining the existing law as is. He pointed out that the major risk lies in delays in holding the parliamentary elections, which, he said, was unacceptable. Frem further highlighted two necessary amendments to the current electoral law. The first concerns the six seats allocated to the Lebanese diaspora, which he rejected, arguing that the world is now a global village and the Lebanese abroad should not be treated as such. The second proposed amendment relates to creating "mega centers" for voting. Moreover, Frem expressed his opposition to a proposed amendment allowing voters to cast two preferential votes and to turn Lebanon into a single electoral district. He concluded by revealing that he and several fellow MPs are working on a draft law enabling Lebanese citizens to elect the Parliament and the Senate directly. This proposal would adjust the current law allowing expatriates to vote in Lebanon. At the same time, the Senate would be elected based on the Orthodox Law, where candidates are chosen strictly according to their sectarian registration.
National News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
Frem from Maarab: We will run in upcoming municipal elections in alliance with Lebanese Forces, Kataeb, Mansour Al-Bonn
NNA - Lebanese Forces party leader Samir Geagea met today in Maarab with MP Neemat Frem, who heads the "Project Watan". Frem described his meeting with Geagea as "distinctive," announcing an alliance with the Lebanese Forces in the upcoming municipal elections in Jounieh. He said, "I was honored to meet with Dr. Geagea, and I have good news for the people of Keserwan. The electoral alliance has been finalized, and we will run in the elections together, starting from Jounieh to all of Keserwan." Frem continued, "This municipal electoral agreement brings good news to the people of Jounieh. Today, we will participate in these elections as four allies: the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, Sheikh Mansour Al-Bonn, and us." He added, "This gives me great hope that Jounieh will be represented by its people and, at the same time, will have a clear vision for rhe economy, development and progress, fulfilling all the dreams of its citizens." Asked about the parliamentary elections, Frem said: "We are working with a number of fellow MPs to submit a draft law aimed at enabling Lebanese citizens to directly elect the Parliament Council and the Senate, in a manner similar to the current law, but with an amendment stipulating that expatriates elect in Lebanon while the Senate is elected according to Orthodox law, i.e., exclusively according to sectarian affiliation."
LBCI
31-01-2025
- Business
- LBCI
MP Neemat Frem: Lebanon is at risk of losing investments to Syria
MP Neemat Frem sounded the alarm over Lebanon's economic future, warning that the country is at risk of losing critical international investments to Syria. "The race with Syria for investments and international support has begun, and Lebanon is in danger of losing the opportunity!" Frem wrote on X. He called for urgent action to facilitate the Prime Minister-designate's efforts in forming an effective government capable of meeting the conditions necessary to attract Arab and international capital while implementing the reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. "The deadline is short, and swift action is an absolute necessity. Otherwise, we will return to square one—only this time with more destruction, escalating tensions in the south, and worsening hardships for citizens," Frem concluded.
