ع
The two-day UAE-Lebanon Business Forum in Beirut brought together more than 80 Emirati government officials and private sector executives with Lebanese counterparts to explore investment avenues across multiple sectors. According to reports from the event the newly formed council will develop a detailed investment roadmap targeting logistics banking agriculture food security renewable energy and reconstruction projects. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade led the delegation and participated in the council’s inaugural session immediately after the signing ceremony.
Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais vice president of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed the foundational memorandum on the UAE side. Mohammed Shukair president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon represented the Lebanese side in the agreement that had first been outlined during President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the UAE in May 2025. The National reported that three additional memoranda were concluded during the forum including cooperation pacts between the Abu Dhabi Chamber and the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber as well as two deals involving Elite Agro Holding with Lebanese academic and commercial partners.
Hamid Mohammed bin Salem secretary general of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry highlighted logistics banking agriculture food security and renewable energy as priority areas drawing private sector interest from the UAE. A separate assessment cited in forum coverage placed non-oil trade between the two countries at 4.2 billion dollars for 2025 reflecting steady growth from earlier baselines. The council’s first meeting co-chaired by Dr Hamad Buamim on the UAE side and Waseem Daher on the Lebanese side focused on concrete mechanisms to facilitate investments organise sector-specific events and address trade barriers.
Al Zeyoudi told participants at the forum that the discussions revealed strong commercial appetite on both sides and a clear willingness to convert talks into active partnerships. The minister added that the four signed memoranda and the council’s launch create structured pathways for businesses to identify opportunities form alliances and proceed with investments. Separate coverage from Economy Middle East noted that the initiative aligns with the UAE’s decision to lift its travel advisory for Lebanon in June 2026 which had previously restricted movement.
The forum also featured addresses from Sultan Abdullah Al Owais and other chamber leaders who stressed the importance of private sector leadership in translating diplomatic progress into economic gains. Public statements distributed after the event indicated the council will coordinate with relevant ministries to expedite licensing and regulatory alignment in targeted industries. Data referenced during proceedings showed Lebanese interest in Emirati expertise in infrastructure development and arid agriculture techniques.
Follow-up sessions planned by the council are expected to concentrate on removing specific obstacles to capital flows and organising targeted business matching events before the end of the year. The inaugural gathering concluded with agreement on a preliminary work plan that includes regular reviews of progress against the investment roadmap. Officials from both delegations described the outcome as a foundational step toward deeper commercial integration.
