The head of the Syndicate of Bakeries and Ovens in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Nasser Sarour, called in a statement for Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the Minister of Economy in the caretaker government, Amin Salam, and the Parliament to issue a decision for three months exempting the flour intended for white Arabic bread, category 85, from customs duties, estimated at 14%. This is to allow bakeries to import flour and secure reserves for the country before the onset of war and potential attacks on ports.
He noted that this type of flour has not been imported for about four years, stating, "Therefore, we are not depriving the state of any taxes, but rather we are undertaking an exceptional proactive measure that secures a stock for Lebanon and helps ensure bread in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances." He emphasized that "bakeries operate during wars and crises and withstand all events to provide bread for people," recalling that "during the July 2006 aggression, bakeries in the southern suburbs and other Lebanese areas did not close."
He called for decisions to ensure a large stock of flour for the country, along with the procurement of diesel and components for bread by facilitating and expediting the related transactions at all ministries. Regarding wheat, he inquired, "Why has the World Bank not yet approved Lebanon’s purchase of two Russian wheat vessels with a capacity of 60,000 tons to secure reserves for Lebanon?" He pointed out that "the loan is not a gift for the Lebanese, but rather a loan with interest that the Lebanese people will have to bear," urging them to "take responsibility and increase the quota designated for purchasing wheat in dollars, and approve the purchase of wheat from Russia to ensure bread security and maintain wheat stocks within the mills."
He concluded, "As the Minister of Economy stated, there is no bread crisis and no shortage of this material, as long as we do not go to open war like the aggression on Gaza."
