logo
Rasamny holds bilateral talks with Qatari Transport Minister

Rasamny holds bilateral talks with Qatari Transport Minister

MTV Lebanon17-04-2025

Minister of Public Works Fayez Rasamny took part in the 2025 ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025), which convened in the Qatari capital, Doha, on April 14, with representatives from 190 countries in attendance.
The Lebanese delegation included Director General of Civil Aviation Amin Jaber, Head of Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport Kamal Nassereddine, Head of Aviation Safety Omar Qaddouha, and the minister's legal advisor, Hadi Moussa.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Rasamny held a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani.
Discussions focused on potential avenues for cooperation between the two ministries, particularly in the field of joint land transport, and on Lebanon's key needs at Beirut Airport, with an emphasis on benefiting from Qatar's technical expertise in this domain.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

You'll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry
You'll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

The 961

time4 hours ago

  • The 961

You'll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

A ferry line between Lebanon and Cyprus is officially in the works, and if all goes according to plan, you'll soon be able to hop on a boat in Jounieh and sail straight to Larnaca by ferry – in just about four hours. Cyprus' Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed to Cyprus Mail that a group of investors has proposed launching passenger ferry crossings. This new route will enhance travel options for tourists looking to explore Cyprus by ferry. INDEVCO Group, a major Lebanese company, is leading the charge to make it happen. They're planning to launch a Cyprus-based company, fly a Cypriot flag on the ferry, and start with a vessel that can carry up to 200 passengers, providing convenient access to Cyprus by ferry. Right now, the only way to get to Cyprus from Lebanon is by air or private boat. This new route could open a more affordable (and scenic) option. Early reports suggest ticket prices might range from $100 to $200, depending on the season and demand, which could be 20% to 30% cheaper than flying. That means more Lebanese might use the ferry to not just visit Cyprus, but also connect to Europe on cheaper flights from there. Cyprus attracts nearly 5 million tourists a year, and this ferry could turn Lebanon into a quick add-on destination for those visitors. Think weekend trips, cultural escapes, or business extensions – with more travel-hungry people wanting multi-stop getaways. The Cypriot government seems fully on board (pun intended), and so does Lebanon. But some upgrades are still needed. Jounieh's port is undergoing assessments for security, border control, and infrastructure improvements, according to Rachad Zeaiter, advisor to Lebanon's Minister of Public Works. Oh – and in case you're wondering, yes, you'll still need a valid Schengen visa to enter Cyprus. If timelines stay on track, the ferry could start operating by early summer 2025. That means we could soon be sailing to Cyprus with nothing but a backpack and a playlist.

Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy
Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

Nahar Net

timea day ago

  • Nahar Net

Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

by Naharnet Newsdesk 07 June 2025, 12:08 Fireworks lit up the night sky over Beirut's famous St. Georges Hotel as hit songs from the 1960s and 70s filled the air in a courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The retro-themed event was hosted last month by Lebanon's Tourism Ministry to promote the upcoming summer season and perhaps recapture some of the good vibes from an era viewed as a golden one for the country. In the years before a civil war began in 1975, Lebanon was the go-to destination for wealthy tourists from neighboring Gulf countries seeking beaches in summer, snow-capped mountains in winter and urban nightlife year-round. In the decade after the war, tourists from Gulf countries – and crucially, Saudi Arabia – came back, and so did Lebanon's economy. But by the early 2000s, as the Iran-backed Hezbollah gained power, Lebanon's relations with Gulf countries began to sour. Tourism gradually dried up, starving its economy of billions of dollars in annual spending. Now, after last year's bruising war with Israel, Hezbollah is much weaker and Lebanon's new political leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the economy once again with help from wealthy neighbors. They aim to disarm Hezbollah and rekindle ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, which in recent years have prohibited their citizens from visiting Lebanon or importing its products. "Tourism is a big catalyst, and so it's very important that the bans get lifted," said Laura Khazen Lahoud, the country's tourism minister. On the highway leading to the Beirut airport, once-ubiquitous banners touting Hezbollah's leadership have been replaced with commercial billboards and posters that read "a new era for Lebanon." In the center of Beirut, and especially in neighborhoods that hope to attract tourists, political posters are coming down, and police and army patrols are on the rise. There are signs of thawing relations with some Gulf neighbors. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have lifted yearslong travel bans. All eyes are now on Saudi Arabia, a regional political and economic powerhouse, to see if it will follow suit, according to Lahoud and other Lebanese officials. A key sticking point is security, these officials say. Although a ceasefire with Israel has been in place since November, near-daily airstrikes have continued in southern and eastern Lebanon, where Hezbollah over the years had built its political base and powerful military arsenal. As vital as tourism is — it accounted for almost 20% of Lebanon's economy before it tanked in 2019 — the country's leaders say it is just one piece of a larger puzzle they are trying to put back together. Lebanon's agricultural and industrial sectors are in shambles, suffering a major blow in 2021, when Saudi Arabia banned their exports after accusing Hezbollah of smuggling drugs into Riyadh. Years of economic dysfunction have left the country's once-thriving middle class in a state of desperation. The World Bank says poverty nearly tripled in Lebanon over the past decade, affecting close to half its population of nearly 6 million. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, with the Lebanese pound losing 90% of its value, and many families lost their savings when banks collapsed. Tourism is seen by Lebanon's leaders as the best way to kickstart the reconciliation needed with Gulf countries -- and only then can they move on to exports and other economic growth opportunities. "It's the thing that makes most sense, because that's all Lebanon can sell now," said Sami Zoughaib, research manager at The Policy Initiative, a Beirut-based think tank. With summer still weeks away, flights to Lebanon are already packed with expats and locals from countries that overturned their travel bans, and hotels say bookings have been brisk. At the event hosted last month by the tourism ministry, the owner of the St. Georges Hotel, Fady El-Khoury, beamed. The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon's ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars. "I have a feeling that the country is coming back after 50 years," he said. On a recent weekend, as people crammed the beaches of the northern city of Batroun, and jet skis whizzed along the Mediterranean, local business people sounded optimistic that the country was on the right path. "We are happy, and everyone here is happy," said Jad Nasr, co-owner of a private beach club. "After years of being boycotted by the Arabs and our brothers in the Gulf, we expect this year for us to always be full." Still, tourism is not a panacea for Lebanon's economy, which for decades has suffered from rampant corruption and waste. Lebanon has been in talks with the International Monetary Fund for years over a recovery plan that would include billions in loans and require the country to combat corruption, restructure its banks, and bring improvements to a range of public services, including electricity and water. Without those and other reforms, Lebanon's wealthy neighbors will lack confidence to invest there, experts said. A tourism boom alone would serve as a "morphine shot that would only temporarily ease the pain" rather than stop the deepening poverty in Lebanon, Zoughaib said. The tourism minister, Lahoud, agreed, saying a long-term process has only just begun. "But we're talking about subjects we never talked about before," she said. "And I think the whole country has realized that war doesn't serve anyone, and that we really need our economy to be back and flourish again."

Strong start for Lebanon's 1st automotive aftermarket trade show: AUTOPARTS EXPO 2025 opens to full house
Strong start for Lebanon's 1st automotive aftermarket trade show: AUTOPARTS EXPO 2025 opens to full house

Nahar Net

time3 days ago

  • Nahar Net

Strong start for Lebanon's 1st automotive aftermarket trade show: AUTOPARTS EXPO 2025 opens to full house

by Naharnet Newsdesk 05 June 2025, 16:35 Beirut witnessed a dynamic and promising launch of the first edition of AUTOPARTS EXPO, Lebanon's first dedicated trade exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and vehicle services industry. Held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Beirut, the event opened its doors on Tuesday, June 3, to an impressive turnout of professionals, technicians, importers, distributors, and decision-makers from across the country. From early afternoon until late evening, the exhibition halls buzzed with energy, conversations, and active networking. Attendees explored a wide array of local and regional exhibitors showcasing spare parts, lubricants, batteries, diagnostic tools, maintenance technologies, and vehicle service solutions. The diversity of the exhibiting companies, from well-established Lebanese suppliers to international brand representatives, offered visitors a comprehensive view of the current market and future trends. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, with Dr. Mohammad Abou Haidar, Director General of the Ministry, delivering a keynote speech. He highlighted the importance of such sector-specific initiatives in supporting economic resilience and driving private sector growth. He emphasized that specialized exhibitions like AUTOPARTS EXPO serve as powerful tools to create linkages between businesses, encourage trade partnerships, and reassert Beirut's role as a regional hub for commerce and expertise. Mr. Farhat Farhat, representing the organizing company BEIRUT EXPO, shared insights into the vision behind launching the show. "After our success with the Middle East Clean Energy exhibition, we recognized the need for a strong professional platform for the automotive sector, especially the aftermarket, which plays a critical role in daily life, employment, and regional trade," he said. 'Lebanon's position as a connector between Arab and African markets gives us a competitive edge.' The first day also featured the opening session of the conference, bringing together experts to discuss opportunities and challenges in the sector, further enriching the event with knowledge-sharing and strategic dialogue. As AUTOPARTS EXPO enters its second and third days on Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5—the momentum is only growing. The exhibition continues to be a must-visit for industry professionals, garage owners, fleet managers, automotive engineers, and anyone seeking new business opportunities, partnerships, or insights into the automotive aftermarket. With free public entry, the exhibition is open from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Mövenpick Hotel, Beirut (Raouché). Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet suppliers, explore new products, and network with fellow professionals in a business-friendly setting. Don't miss your chance to be part of this landmark event and witness the rebirth of Beirut as a center for sector-specific trade shows in the region. Whether you're looking for cutting-edge solutions, new suppliers, or industry connections, AUTOPARTS EXPO is where the automotive aftermarket meets in Lebanon.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store