QNA
Doha
Minister of Economy and Trade of Lebanon Amin Salam said that his visit to Doha aimed at meeting with officials in ministries and institutions concerned with supporting Lebanon, in order to promote the cooperation in the economic and social fields.
In an interview with Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq published Monday, Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister noted that the meetings were extensive and discussed the potentials for investment in light of the opportunities available in Lebanon from all aspects, adding: “Since the State of Qatar is Lebanons incubator, we wanted Qatar to be the first to learn about the investment opportunities available in Lebanon.”
Minister noted that his meetings with the officials in Doha also addressed the activation of the Qatar-Lebanon joint committee, and the agreement on resetting the frameworks for activating the committee, because the committee covers many important projects, works and agreements for Lebanon, and creates vital partnerships.
Speaking on the future of renewable energy in Lebanon,Minister of Economy and Trade indicated that he had a fruitful meeting with HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, stressing the importance of the meeting since the State of Qatar, through QatarEnergy, invests in oil and gas exploration in Lebanon in partnership with Total.
He explained that the energy issue in Lebanon constitutes a major crisis that affects the Lebanese economy to a large extent, because the cost of energy in Lebanon is the highest worldwide in terms of the price of a kilowatt, especially since most factories and institutions operate on private generators and replacing theses generators with clean solar energy creates a window of hope for solving the energy and electricity problem in Lebanon.
Regarding the opening of Lebanon’s pavilion at Expo Doha,Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade stressed the significance of Lebanon’s participation in Expo Doha at this difficult stage, in light of Lebanons inability to organize major activities within the country due to the economic and financial conditions.
From this standpoint, Expo Doha offers Lebanon a unique and world-class platform, and the presence of Lebanon side by side with more than 80 participating countries gives hope to Lebanese farmers, manufacturers, creators and innovators, and to the Lebanese economy in general. The Expo will continue until the end of March, and this long period is very appropriate and gives an opportunity to display Lebanon’s products, services and creativity to thousands of visitors.
On the challenges facing the Lebanese economy, Minister said: “As mentioned, the State of Qatar is one of the countries that provides support to Lebanon in several areas to improve the social conditions for citizens, as well as for the Lebanese army and a large number of beneficiaries.
The Ministry is working to create a kind of stability in terms of prices, import, export and industry, and it also works closely with all the ministries that create a financial outlet in light of the collapse of the banking sector, which is considered a fundamental problem that makes it difficult to improve the economic situation in Lebanon.
Minister of Economy and Trade of Lebanon Amin Salam affirmed that the deep-rooted fraternal relationship between Qatar and Lebanon is one of the distinguished relationships in the Arab world, saying that Qatar has been always the first to be present and stand by Lebanon and its people, and the Qatari support has increased and multiplied in recent years.
Qatar was the first initiator and the most supportive politically, morally, economically and physically.
Qatar has proven to be the incubator that does not abandon Lebanon under any circumstances, especially in light of the financial, economic, social and political collapse, which is unprecedented in the history of Lebanon.
Qatar was supportive and took the initiative to save Lebanon from its crisis, as it initiated an international and regional movement that resulted in the formation of a five-member committee of countries concerned with the Lebanese file, which is working to end the vacuum in the presidency and elect a president.
In the conclusion, the Lebanese Minister said we came here with a message entitled successful partnership, and we aspire for successful partnerships that benefit Lebanon and Qatar in various sectors and fields, and represent an added value to both countries.
This culminated in important meetings with the private sector and the largest business circles in Doha.
This is the goal we aspire to from this visit, and we are confident that the Qatari partnership is essential and central in the next stage of Lebanons exit from its crisis.
