The session was held at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, in the presence of its president, Tawfiq Dabboussi, the head of the Medical Syndicate, Dr. Ibrahim Makdisi, the director of the Rashid Karami International Fair, Dr. Hani Al-Shaarani, the head of the Administrative Authority of the Special Economic Zone, Dr. Hassan Dennawi, and a crowd of interested people, after the Lebanese national anthem.
The meeting began with a welcoming speech by Ibrahim Touma, a member of the Administrative Board of the Special Economic Zone, in which he stressed that “the banking and economic crisis in Lebanon has now touched upon the core of the national challenges, in light of the financial and security pressures that negatively affect the Lebanese economy and limit growth opportunities and do not encourage the attraction of investment,” considering that “organizing this dialogue comes out of national and economic responsibility, and out of a desire to open a space for constructive discussion about possible solutions and recovery paths, and to strengthen the role of Tripoli and the North.” “As a center for economic dialogue and launching initiatives.”
In this context, Dabboussi stressed “the importance of awareness seminars hosted by the Chamber,” stressing “the necessity of benefiting from information and experiences that serve people, society, and the nation,” and praising the role of the head of the Special Economic Zone, Dr. Hassan Dennawi, in organizing these initiatives.
For his part, Dr. Dennawi explained that this symposium is the first in a series of lectures that will address various economic developments, stressing that “there will always be room for hope.” He pointed out that cooperation between Tripoli’s institutions has become clearer, considering that “what was achieved today in the port of Tripoli with the launch of a tender to study the connection between Tripoli and the Syrian border via railway confirms the existence of a real opportunity for Lebanon starting from Tripoli.”
Dennawi also revealed that the Supreme Council for Privatization and Partnership approved the Special Economic Zone in Tripoli as part of its national projects, considering that “this decision constitutes an essential step in strengthening Tripoli’s economic role,” and stressing “the continuation of cooperation between the city’s various institutions to achieve more developmental and economic steps.”
In conclusion, a discussion took place between the lecturers and the audience about the draft law submitted to address the crisis, presenting the road map for recovery and highlighting the repercussions of the war on the Lebanese economy.
