NNA - Acting Minister of Agriculture Gebran Bassil and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas on Monday launched the Vine and Wine Institute at the Ministry of Agriculture in presence of Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian as well as other concerned officials.



Bassil said the wine sector raised high the name of Lebanon and asserted that this sector shall take the country to a further developed phase.


He explained that the wine product was an economic, agricultural, industrial and tourism factor and stressed the need to preserve it, develop it and promote it across Lebanon.



Bassil also said that the Agriculture Ministry shall be the temporary headquarters of the Institute.



As for his part, Minster Nahhas said that Lebanon has numerous potentials and that wine was one of them, "in which we, Lebanese, take pride."



"This sector is very promising and it ought to provide major job opportunities for the Lebanese," he explained.


====================L.W.