The president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Mohamad Shukeir, headed a meeting for the Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Association (LECA) to discuss the sector’s conditions and outline the LECA work program for the coming year. Shukeir stressed the importance of developing such a work plan to keep up with positive economic developments in the country, anticipating an extraordinary activity next year. Shukeir based his views on the current political consensus and an international and regional interest in the country, combined with the government’s recent accomplishments, which include: endorsement of the first offshore gas and oil exploration, approval of the 2017 budget, submittal of the 2018 national budget, ratification of the electoral law and invitation of the electorate committee to next May’s elections, adoption of the law of partnership between the private and public sectors, the judicial and diplomatic appointments, the appointment and activation of the Socio-Economic Council, approval of salary scale, etc. Shukeir also pointed out that the conferences and exhibitions sector will play a pivotal role in boosting the economic process and in restoring Lebanon’s place as a regional economic hub. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) board of directors elected on December 19 Yahya Kassaa as its president following Charles Arbid’s resignation and his election as president of the Socio-Economic Council. The Board also elected Michel Ferneini as vice president, Madiha Raslan as secretary general and Alain Kamakian as treasurer. (Al Diyar, December 20, 21, 2017)