Latest news with #LebaneseExecutivesCouncil
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
'It's now or never': Lebanon looks to digital transformation to revive economy and curb corruption
Lebanon 's President Joseph Aoun has pledged to expand digitalisation in the public sector as part of a broader drive to make government more efficient, revive the economy and tackle corruption. The country must be "open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment", he said at the Smart Government: Diaspora Experts for Lebanon conference in Beirut. 'The smart government is always postponed so that citizens' paperwork remains hostage to the whims of the corrupt,' Mr Aoun said. 'We want Lebanon to be open to regional partnerships and ready for foreign investment. The digitalisation project is not just a government initiative, it is a national project and a sovereign decision for a better future." The conference brought together senior officials, business leaders and experts from the Lebanese diaspora to discuss the country's digital strategy, including its policy for artificial intelligence and the role of public-private partnerships in innovation. 'Now is the right time because we are living in the era of global digital transformation. If Lebanon doesn't catch up, it risks missing the moment,' said Rabih El Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, which organised the event. He added that Lebanon has reached a turning point for reform with the election of Mr Aoun and appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after more than two years of political vacuum, and 14 months of deadly conflict with Israel. 'We now have a newly elected President and a government in formation. Both have pledged in their initial statements to endorse and support the establishment of a smart government in Lebanon,' Mr El Amine said Political will and legal reforms are essential for Lebanon to initiate its digital transformation, he said. 'International partners are ready to help. We're here to help the government build the needed infrastructure for digital transitions," he said. "But if parliament does not modernise laws to align with these strategies, then we go nowhere." Lebanon's Minister of the Displaced and Minister for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shehadi, outlined his flagship initiative at the conference. Known as LEAP, the project is aimed at driving digital reform, transforming government operations and the broader economy, and developing AI infrastructure. Under the initiative, AI is expected to contribute 10 per cent of the country's GDP by 2035, supported by expanded broadband and digital infrastructure, generating an economic boost of $3 billion to $4 billion. It also aims to attract $500 million in AI investment and double the AI workforce. 'This is our last chance,' Nadine Shawi, an adviser to the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, told The National. 'The time is now. We've also established a digital authority to oversee everything related to AI, and we're actively co-ordinating with other ministries. This is the right moment. We're making progress and now is the time to accelerate development.' Economic challenge Since 2019, Lebanon has faced what the World Bank described as one of the worst financial crises since the mid-19th century, with the local currency losing more than 90 per cent of its value and public services collapsing. The financial meltdown, which has resulted in losses exceeding $70 billion, has left banks nearly insolvent and locked many depositors out of their savings. One in three Lebanese is living in poverty, according to a World Bank report released last year. 'After the 2019 financial crash, investors will think 10 times before putting money in. The government needs to create the right conditions for investment,' Jihad Bitar, chief executive of Siren Analytics, a Beirut company that specialises in digital transformation, told The National. Lebanon faces a long road to economic recovery, with numerous constraints, Economy Minister Amer Bsat said at the conference. 'It's clear that we do not have a functioning banking sector capable of seizing emerging opportunities, including those in Syria,' he added. The downfall of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad in December and the lifting of western sanctions have renewed international investor interest in the country, although Beirut has not yet revived its historically close trade ties with Damascus. 'Our private sector is not competitive. We need to lower the cost of production, particularly electricity,' Mr Bsat added. He also pointed to the country's challenging business environment. 'Today, it takes just two hours to open a company in London. In Lebanon, the relationship between the private and public sectors is not sound,' he said. 'One of the solutions is digitalisation. The implementation of e-government can help streamline procedures and facilitate interaction with the state."
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanon embraces digital transformation as key to reform and recovery
BEIRUT: Lebanon has pledged to pursue comprehensive digital transformation, with President Joseph Aoun framing it as the nation's best hope to tackle corruption, moderne governance, and engage its skilled diaspora in rebuilding efforts. Speaking at the 'Smart Government, Diaspora Experts for Lebanon' conference in Beirut on June 3, Aoun described the initiative as a 'sovereign decision to build a better future.' The event, organized by the Lebanese Executives Council, aimed to connect Lebanon's global talent pool with efforts to revitalize both public and private sectors. The conference's core themes included smart governance, public sector reform, and private sector collaboration, all driven by digital innovation. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon must abandon outdated and corrupt administrative structures in favor of efficient, transparent systems. 'Digital transformation is not a technical choice. Digitalization is not just a government project; it is a national project.' He also announced Lebanon's application to join the Digital Cooperation Organization, a global body founded in 2020 to promote inclusive growth in the digital economy. Aoun criticized systemic corruption that forces citizens to navigate bureaucracy through bribery or political favors. He highlighted the need for a government that serves all Lebanese equally, free from sectarian or partisan influences. 'We want Lebanon to open up to regional and international partnerships and to be eligible for foreign investments. This goal is an absolute necessity, indispensable and unavoidable,' Aoun said. 'The time has come for them (the diaspora) to achieve it for their homeland and in their homeland.' The day-long conference brought together ministers, private sector leaders, and diaspora experts for panel discussions on digitizing Lebanon's institutions. Topics included the creation of a national digital ID, policy harmonization, and leveraging technology to reconstruct public services. In an interview with Arab News, LEC President Rabih El-Amine highlighted the importance of engaging the Lebanese diaspora. 'We know by fact that diaspora is willing to help, but they don't have the medium to offer this help, and we know by fact that the government needs this help, but they don't know how to reach the diaspora,' he said. El-Amine stressed that despite weak governance, Lebanon's private sector and diaspora have helped sustain the country. However, implementing modern laws and digital systems is now critical. He called the digital ID system a foundational step toward enabling services like passport renewals and license issuance. 'This is probably the starting point. But I think the biggest challenge for us is how we can make the government and the parliament work together in order to issue modern laws for this system to take place,' he added. Hajar El-Haddaoui, director general of the DCO, expressed strong confidence in Lebanon's digital potential, citing the country's talent pool and expansive diaspora. 'We trust that Lebanon does have all the ingredients to succeed during this digital economy transformation,' she told Arab News. She said the DCO's support will focus on investment, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building, including the Digital Economy Navigator program, which helps countries assess and close gaps in digital readiness. El-Haddaoui underscored the importance of aligned policies, strong infrastructure, and openness to international cooperation. 'Any digital economy or digital transformation needs harmonization of policies. That's really important and critical. Working on a regulation and standard of regulation is really one of the pillars of successful digital transformation,' she said. Fadi Makki, Lebanon's minister of state for administrative development affairs, also spoke at the conference, outlining key reforms to upgrade the country's administrative structures. 'We're far behind in digital readiness. We're trying to catch up through digital transformation, skilling, and reskilling programs,' he said. Makki explained that Lebanon lacks planning and performance monitoring units that are standard in functional governments. He proposed modernizing human resources and encouraging the private sector to deliver services, while the government ensures oversight. 'We don't want to compete with them (the private sector), but at the same time, we want to create opportunities for them while ensuring we provide the necessary oversight like any government,' he said. 'One of the missing functions in government is planning and performance monitoring. We don't have that. So, part of our work is creating these basic units, not just centrally but eventually in every ministry. Without them, we're building on weak foundations,' he added. The event also featured remarks from Lebanese American University's Chaouki Abdallah and panels with Minister of Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadi, along with global figures like Jad Bitar of the Boston Consulting Group. In closing, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam thanked all participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the government's resolve. 'Digital transformation in Lebanon is not a luxury but a necessity and a reform,' he said. 'It directly serves the citizens, reduces corruption, and enhances the quality of life. It is also a prerequisite for economic growth.' Salam called for full inter-ministerial coordination, asserting, 'Lebanon cannot remain outside the digital world or on its margins.' He concluded: 'We are determined to be part of the regional and global digital economy and to reconnect Lebanon with the chains of knowledge and production in the 21st century.' As Lebanon continues to navigate a complex political and economic crisis, the conference marked a clear call for reform. The message from both domestic and diaspora leaders was unambiguous: digital transformation is not only possible—it is imperative.
LBCI
21-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Speaker Berri says all political forces support depositors' rights to recover full bank deposits
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri emphasized that all political forces, including the 128 members of parliament, are united in their support for depositors' right to recover their full bank deposits. During a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Executives Council, led by Rabih Al-Amin, Berri highlighted the crucial role of the Lebanese diaspora, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Africa, in Lebanon's economic prosperity. He stressed the importance of fostering cooperation, strengthening ties, and rebuilding trust with these nations, which have consistently supported Lebanon and remain willing to contribute to its reconstruction and economic recovery. Berri also reiterated the necessity of bolstering Lebanon's relations with all Arab countries. On the issue of expatriate voting rights, he underscored the importance of ensuring that Lebanese citizens abroad have full participation in parliamentary elections and can vote for all 128 MPs. The delegation presented its vision and demands, particularly regarding the protection of expatriate depositors' rights and their full electoral participation wherever they are. Separately, Berri met with Lebanon's Acting Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Wassim Mansouri to discuss the country's financial and economic situation. He also received a protocol visit from newly appointed Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal, during which they reviewed the security situation and military developments.
LBCI
21-03-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam engages with World Bank on reconstruction and financial reforms
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced ongoing near-daily communication with the World Bank to secure an initial allocation of $250 million and finalize a reconstruction strategy, with a decision expected during the World Bank's meetings at the end of April. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Executives Council in Saudi Arabia, Salam revealed plans for a major donor conference to raise $1 billion as a first step, followed by a broader reconstruction summit. He emphasized the need for parallel domestic measures, including revitalizing the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), which the government is restructuring through an open selection process for its leadership and members. On financial matters, Salam reassured depositors that "there will be no deposit write-off," stating, "We will erase the term' deposit write-off'—our goal is to unlock deposits. We will accept nothing less than a fair solution for depositors." He stressed the government's commitment to financial reform, including restarting negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and drafting key legislative reforms, notably a new banking secrecy law. Salam reaffirmed the government's readiness to hold municipal elections as scheduled, clarifying that any postponement, even for technical reasons, is a parliamentary decision, not the government's. He also highlighted efforts to transition Lebanon into a digital state, with plans to elevate the State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Ministry into a fully-fledged ministry in the near future. For his part, Lebanese Executives Council President Rabih Al-Amin said discussions with Salam focused on diaspora concerns, particularly deposit recovery. He noted that initial government measures would begin next week. Al-Amin also highlighted talks on expatriate voting, stating that Salam supports granting Lebanese expatriates full voting rights for all 128 parliamentary seats rather than just six, arguing that the diaspora, which includes 1.1 million registered voters, deserves full representation. Additionally, discussions covered a diaspora-led initiative to attract Lebanese expertise for Lebanon's digital transformation. This project will be the focus of an upcoming conference in June, held under the patronage of the president and attended by Salam and relevant ministers.
Arab News
13-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanon finalizes 22 deals with Saudi Arabia ahead of high-level visit
RIYADH: Lebanon has finalized 22 cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for a high-level visit next month to strengthen economic ties. The delegation could be led by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, or both, according to Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in an interview with Asharq. This comes as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted President Aoun at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace on March 3 — Aoun's first foreign visit since taking office — where they discussed Lebanon's ongoing crisis and regional developments. The agreements, covering sectors from agriculture to intellectual property, are seen as crucial to securing broader international aid for Lebanon's struggling economy. 'This is a legitimate approach, and we must earn the trust of Arab nations and the international community,' Mitri said, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia's support is vital for unlocking further international aid. He confirmed that the 22 agreements are fully drafted and ready for signing. On his arrival, Aoun had expressed hope that his talks with the crown prince would pave the way for a follow-up visit to sign agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations. The deals cover a wide range of sectors, including intellectual property, consumer protection, and environmental management, as well as agriculture and water resources, Rabih El-Amine, chairman of the Lebanese Executives Council, told Arab News earlier this month. El-Amine also pointed to agreements involving the Ministry of Information, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, and Banque du Liban. Mitri further revealed that Lebanon is working on an independent fund — separate from government institutions handling refugee affairs — in partnership with international organizations to oversee post-war reconstruction efforts. This move aims to boost credibility with donors, especially in the wake of the recent Hezbollah-Israeli conflict. A World Bank report commissioned by the Lebanese government estimates the country needs roughly $11 billion for recovery and reconstruction. The report assessed damage across 10 key sectors, projecting infrastructure repairs at $3 billion to $5 billion in public sector funding, while housing, trade, industry, and tourism would require $6 billion to $8 billion in private investments. Mitri also noted that France has expressed willingness to host a conference to support Lebanon's recovery. French officials have proposed preparatory meetings or merging them into a single event, though no date has been set. The conference would prioritize humanitarian aid and reconstruction, while a separate investment-focused event aims to attract international figures.
