Joint ministerial endeavor to develop Lebanon’s foreign trade ties

In an attempt to promote Lebanese economic relations abroad, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Gebran Bassil, held last week a coordination meeting, attended by the Ministers of Economy Alan Hakim, and Industry Hussein alHajj Hassan, in addition to the General Directors of Industry, Economy, Public Works, Finance, and Agriculture, as well as the representative of UNDP at the Ministry of Economy, Rafiq Berro, and advisor of the Minister of Tourism, Mona Fares.
Minster Bassil explained that the meeting was held in accordance with the old decree numbering 14623, which was issued in 1970 and which regulates the work of ministries in the field of trade and foreign economic agreements. He indicated that the meeting aimed at exploring ways to assist the various Lebanese economic sectors and administrations in marketing Lebanese products abroad, so as to increase productivity and reinvigorate the Lebanese economy. Thus Basil proposed the establishment of a "Committee for Foreign Economic Relations”, which will focus on coordinating and communicating among concerned ministries and agencies, and with trade missions abroad, in order to develop the country’s economic diplomacy, and to open up new foreign markets. Finally, Bassil clarified that this will be accomplished through conducting studies, researches and policy documents. Furthermore, the new committee will make recommendations and will identify priorities, in order to assist in developing foreign economic policies for Lebanon.
Source: Al-Diyar 4 October 2014