In its issue of yesterday, Al-Diyar newspaper highlighted a number of conferences and economic seminars currently taking place in Lebanon noting that this is a good indicator as these contribute to invigorating a number of economic sectors notably tourism, trade and investment. This is particularly so in the case of hotels occupancy as well as restaurants turnover in addition to purchasing of goods such as clothing, perfumes, etc… The newspaper further noted that tourism linked with conferences is likely to develop this sector especially that Riyad Salameh, the current Central Bank Governor, is the highlight of such events. Salameh has given addresses in six such conferences where he provided reassurances on the fiscal and banking sectors in Lebanon. Most prominent of such events were a conference on financial inclusion, another on Arab stock markets and the Arab Economic Forum. The latter will open its 25th edition on Tuesday My 25th under the auspices of the Prime Minister and with more than 600 participants from Lebanon and the region. Another key event is the Beirut 7th Franchise Forum which, this year, launched a national strategy for supporting local franchise. In addition, the third international summit for oil and gas will take place on May 3d and 4th and the expatriates conference planned for May 4th. Other events include the international exhibition for construction material and technologies and the protection of the environment (Projects 2017) and the post-Arab transformations reconstruction financing conference to be held in Beil on May 12th and 13th. (Al-Diyar, May 1st 2017)