News in 2021

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

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