EBRD and EU support sustainable and eco-friendly winemaking in Lebanon
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) recently organised a workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in eco-friendly and sustainable winemaking, helping to strengthen the resilience and economic growth of small wine-producers in Lebanon.
The event was attended by Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation in Lebanon and Syria at the EU delegation, Richard Jones, the EBRD's Head of SME Finance and Development for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Nizar Hani, the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud and Zafer Chaoui, the President of Lebanon's National Institute of Vine and Wine.
The workshop, which was organised in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Vine and Wine (INVV), brought together more than 70 small local businesses and key players in Lebanon's private sector specialising in winemaking. Those businesses had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of AI and robotics by attending a series of technical sessions led by local wine experts.
The experts shared their knowledge on the basics of using AI in agriculture and the importance of using such innovations responsibly in winemaking. Participants also learned about ways of complying with sustainability standards and certification requirements which would enable them to export their products to new markets around the world. The experts also shared new AI software tools and practical applications which could help to improve the quality of wine production. Lebanese winemakers shared details of the challenges that they faced when producing wine – explaining, for instance, that political instability and economic crises were disrupting production and exports, while limited access to water and energy was making it difficult to achieve consistency in the quality of grapes. Participants took part in a brainstorming session looking at innovative solutions to help improve their wineries and vineyards.
Khalil Dinguizli, Head of Lebanon at the EBRD, said: 'Today's event is a valuable opportunity to highlight the resilience of Lebanon's private sector, particularly its SMEs, which continue to grow despite numerous challenges. The determination of Lebanese entrepreneurs is truly inspiring and lies at the heart of our growing collaboration with the European Union to support the private sector through tailored programmes'. He added: 'At the EBRD, and across everything that we do, we have three institutional priorities we promote and work towards: supporting the Green Transition, supporting the Digital Transformation, and working towards Equality of Opportunity and Inclusion. Today's topic is at the intersection of all three. Since 2018, with EU funding, we've supported over 330 Lebanese SMEs through more than 450 projects and various trainings. With the launch of the Innovation Programme in 2023 and the Resource Efficiency & Circularity Programme in 2024, we are eager to extend this support to Lebanon's wine sector—fostering innovation, research, and greener business practices.'
After welcoming all the participants, the President of the National Institute of Vine and Wine in Lebanon, Zafar Chawi, said: 'Our gathering today reflects our collective awareness that the future of the vine and wine sector depends on our ability to adapt and innovate. We take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for the cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Your presence with us today confirms your interest in inclusive economic growth in our region and your commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises in the wine sector through funding applied research projects and helping small producers face real and pressing challenges. This workshop and the projects associated with it represent a model example of how to build a bridge between science and nature, ensuring that innovation serves everyone — especially the passionate small producers who give Lebanese wine its unique identity.'
The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture for his support and backing of the sector, and continued by saying: 'We achieve accomplishments through the integration of everyone's efforts. I salute the private sector, particularly the National Institute of Vine and Wine in Lebanon and the Lebanese Wine Union, for their dedicated efforts. I also call on everyone to collaborate to further develop the sector. Our gathering today is an excellent initiative to support this chain within the production chains. Lebanon deserves all the best, and I thank all the universities for their cooperation in this regard. Artificial intelligence is becoming central to the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, which has organized training sessions aimed at development and growth.' Lahoud also announced that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue promoting Lebanese wine in local and international markets.
Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation in Lebanon and Syria at the EU Delegation, said: 'Innovation is a key driver of SME competitiveness and economic growth in Lebanon. I am very pleased to witness the outcomes of the partnership between the EBRD and the EU. Over the past few years, our collaboration with the EBRD has supported numerous SME initiatives — a significant achievement that has helped sustain the dynamism of Lebanon's private sector, despite the challenging times the country has faced.' She added: 'We will continue to stand alongside Lebanon and its private sector to continue invest in knowledge, innovation and people because these are the main factors of sustainable growth.'
EBRD's Head of SME Finance and Development for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Richard Jones said: 'Lebanon has faced multiple crises in recent years, yet its private sector remains dynamic and its entrepreneurs resilient. As a private sector-focused institution, we see great potential in Lebanon once ongoing reforms take hold. Given the challenges in the local banking sector, we have partnered with the European Union to develop two tailored programmes supporting SME competitiveness: one fostering industry-academia collaboration to drive innovation, and the other advancing the green transition with access to finance through repayable grants. Our goal is to empower SME champions to realize their full potential. Today's event highlights our commitment to sectoral collaboration and capacity building. Lebanon's internationally renowned wine industry can thrive even more with the right support, and we are proud—thanks to generous EU funding—to contribute to its sustainability and technological advancement.'
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani stated: 'Building the future of agriculture requires the tools of the technological revolution, foremost among them artificial intelligence. In this context, today's workshop aims to shed light on the wine sector, which holds significant economic and cultural importance in Lebanon. 'We believe that developing this sector will not only stimulate the local economy but also create new job opportunities for youth and enhance the competitiveness of Lebanese products in both local and international markets.' He added: 'The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirms its full commitment to supporting this vital sector and will take the recommendations of this workshop into consideration within its national strategy. It also calls for unified efforts among all partners, including government entities, international organizations, universities, experts, and civil society.'
Since the start of its operations in Lebanon, the EBRD has invested more than €860 million in the country, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, promoting sustainable energy, and improving the quality and efficiency of public services.
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