Sure, sure, I’m all for “made in Lebanon”. I sincerely am.
Keep in mind the stunning slogan that the then Minister of Business (the late) Pierre Gemayel coined? “Bit7eb Lebnen 7eb Sina3to”? You’re keen on Lebanon, love its trade. Sensible. I additionally defined prior the place it got here from right here.
So the opposite day I used to be on the grocery store, and I used to be getting a laundry detergent. Clearly I checked a number one native model like the nice patriot that I’m. Then out of curiosity I additionally noticed Persil – by Henkel – the internationally main model which is imported and due to this fact has import tariff taxes on it, ergo in response to logic, it was dearer. Not solely did Persil have an additional liter in it, it was cheaper than the Lebanese manufactured. Name me unpatriotic however rattling it, guess which one I picked?
Yesterday a good friend went to go to a neighborhood shoe producer who for a very long time was recognized for it good high quality and affordable costs. Nicely, I’m not certain if the standard continues to be nearly as good, however my good friend got here appalled – the costs had been now sky excessive. The sneaker that was beforehand inexpensive is now dearer than an Adidas or a Nike. In the identical token of logic, guess what my good friend ended up buying?
Now let’s transfer to chocolate. I’m diabetic, so technically I ought to be off them. Nicely, technically. However actually, mom likes a small chunk of chocolate so I find yourself buying them (principally for her. Largely hehe). However once more, the identical “no sugar added” domestically produced chocolate is certainly dearer than one coming from overseas.
Look, I find out about economies of scale and the extra a manufacturing facility produces the decrease the worth and so forth. But in addition, keep in mind, I misplaced all my cash on the financial institution and am attempting to do the utmost with a really restricted month-to-month finances. So I’m really value delicate as a buyer at this level. And I actually, actually wish to love our native trade because the late Pierre Gemayel invited me to do. Sadly, it appears the trade doesn’t love me again.
