One of the major elements to gaining competitive edge in our recent time is the access to information that is needed to make sound strategic decisions, the speed by which these information can be obtained, the way this information is perceived and the accuracy and reliability of the available information. In this direction, and in order to render a value-added service to its members and the community at large, CCIAS has implemented a geographic Information System "GIS".

What is a "GIS"?

A geographic information system is a system for the management, analysis, and display of geographically disrtributed data and knowledge, which is represented using a series of information sets such as maps, geographic data sets, processing and work flow models, data models and relationships, and metadata. GIS provides essential information tools for many levels of society.

Benefits and Usages of a GIS:

A gis can produce information that answers specific questions and allows you to share that information with others. By visualizing relationships, connections, and patterns in data, you can make informed decisions and increase efficiency throughtout your organization.

The purpose behind building a GIS system by CCIAS is to have a modern up-to-date and comprehensive economic database that would be put at the service of : investors, researchers, municipalities, universities, NGOs , etc..... In a way to enable them to easily perform analytical research that is a buttin click away, and that wouls otherwise be a very tedious task, if not an impossible one, to perform.

The GIS at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Saida and South Lebanon:

- Geographic Area Coverage: the project covers the three major cities of the region of South Lebanon (the economic jurisdiction of CCIAS): Saida, Tyre and Nabatieh, and their neighboring areas, with emphasis on the ecnomical activities. In addition it covers the following:

• The coastal road line extenbding from Saida to Zahrani
• The road connecting Zahrani to Nabatieh
• The road connecting Nabatieh to Ansar

- Information Coverage: Emphasis was made on collecting data related to all businesses and institutions operating in these areas, without tackling demographic information.

- Stages:

1. Covering the above-mentioned areas (completed)
2. Covering the whole region of South Lebanon

- Layers & Content:

Administrative maps - Satellite Images - Cadastral Maps - Road Maps - Infrastructure Maps - Buildings, Business and Institutions - Agriculture: Land Use & Land Cover (all South Lebanon).

How to make use of the GIS at CCIAS?

There are a variety of methods to obtain reports from the GIS at CCIAS:

1. Interactive CD reports: you can have your report printed on a CD, which offers a certain level of interactivity allowing the user to make his own search(limited to the information obtained on the CD), tour the area covered in the report, print maps, identify ceratin features, etc..
2. Paper printed Reports: a map coupled with tabulated information can be generated.
3. Online Remote Access: this service would be restricted to subsribers to CCIAS's GIS system, which will allow them to navigate the whole system, make their own search and queries, and to print and generate their own reports from the convenience of their office/home using any sort of internet connection.

For any information or if you have any questions regarding GIS please contact us at: gis@ccias.org.lb