News in 2021
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Land and cadastral reform in Lebanon
April 2021, Lebanon
FIG has received this report from our Lebanese member
association, Order of Surveyors and Topographers of Lebanon, represented
by Jaacoub Saade, Director of Research and International Relations
Despite the current situation given the Covid-19 pandemic, the Order
of Surveyors and Topographers of Lebanon insists on monitoring its
activities within the general framework of the profession, especially at
the level of national and international partnership. in this context a
major project reform at the cadaster and land register department level
has started with the support and cooperation of the French development
agency and the expertise of France - FEXTE project.
Following
on from the initiative of the Director General of Land Affairs, Dr
Georges Maarawi, in terms of the regulation of labor relations between
the public and private sectors, the start of this ambitious cooperation
officially opened in April 2021. The FEXTE project managed by Expertise France,
and financed by the French Development Agency, currently working
alongside the DGAF in support of the modernization of the land and
cadastral administration in Lebanon, supports this operation.
Upstream, a series of meetings and working sessions took place at the
headquarters of the General Directorate of Land Affairs and at the
headquarters of the Order of Certified Surveyors and Topographers of
Lebanon with the Expertise France team, dedicated to this project.
Innovative proposals and in-depth research have been developed dealing
with the issue of public-private partnership, in particular the subject
of cadastral reform in Lebanon at the technical, administrative,
financial and legal level.
During this period, a number of recognized French experts intervened in
the field and cooperated jointly with officials of the DGAF, the team of
the Order of topographers and the FEXTE team to establish a roadmap
presenting all aspects of the challenge and the necessary means to
achieve it.
FIG Representative Yaacoub Saade explains the International
relationships of the Order of Surveyors and Topographers of
Lebanon |
President Boutros gave the participants a tour of the order's
premises
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In conclusion, the visit of Mr. Paul Touzet, delegate of the Director
General of the DGFIP, of Ms. Claudine Karaki, Director of the FEXTE
Project, and of Ms. Nathalie Meulan, the resident expert of the FEXTE
Project, took place in the premises of the Order of Certified Surveyors
and Topographers of Lebanon, under the aegis of the President of the
Order Mr. Jihad Elias Boutros, in the presence of His Excellency Dr
Maarawi, the Director General of Land Affairs, the engineer Salim
Khalil, head of cadastral services, as well as the members of the order,
Mr. Ali Mokbel, the secretary of the Order Mr. Rizqalla Aylo, the
treasurer of the Order, Mr. Elie Chemali member of the council, Mr.
Estephan Raskatov certified topographer, and DP. Eng. Yaacoub Saadé,
Director of Researches and International Relations, Dp.Eng Saade
presented the order's vision of public-private partnership and stressed
the importance of modernizing the cadastral system in Lebanon. President Boutros thanked the participants and wished this project every
success, highlighting the professionalism and availability of the
members of his Order, as well as their commitments in the service of the
public interest.
Dr. Maarawi emphasized the need for public-private partnership, a desire
of His Excellency Minister Dr. Ghazi Wazni, as an opportunity to
stimulate economic and social development in Lebanon and restore
confidence to investors. This determination allowed tangible
preparations such as the drafting of an agreement aimed at synchronizing
the roles between the order of topographers, the two orders of engineers
and the General Directorate of Land Affairs. Mr. Touzet said he was
impressed by the progress of the joint work, showing great
professionalism and efficiency.
President Boutros gave the participants a tour of the order's premises and
described how it works.
At the close of the event, he presented distinctions on behalf of the
Order to Dr. Maarawi, and Mr. Khalil, in gratitude and appreciation for
their efforts in the service of the national interest. Mr. Touzet also
received a distinction, on behalf of the French State, as a token of
thanks in particular, to the economic service of the French Embassy
represented by Mr. de Ricolfis, head of department, Mr.Velud, financial
advisor and to members of the FEXTE team.
Yaacoub Saade
24 April 2021
