Today, the Lebanese-Russian Economic Investment Forum “Beirut 2” was opened at the Voco Hotel, in a step aimed at opening new horizons for the private sector in the two countries to move from exchanging ideas and opportunities to building practical, implementable partnerships and projects.
The event is being held under the patronage and in the presence of the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, and the Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat. The opening witnessed a wide presence of political and economic figures, in addition to a crowd of the Russian and Lebanese business communities and representatives of companies from the two countries.
Russian Ambassador: The potential between Lebanon and Russia has not been fully exploited
The Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, considered that holding the forum for the second time confirms the existence of a sustainable interest among the economic circles in the two countries in developing cooperation. He pointed out that Russia and Lebanon have a long history of friendship and trust, stressing the importance of adding practical and tangible content to these relations.
He said that the current level of trade and economic relations does not meet the interests of the two countries, and that the available capabilities have not been fully exploited, calling for this situation to be corrected.
He stressed that the first forum constituted an important platform for establishing new relations, while “Beirut 2” allows for the continuation of dialogue, evaluation of previous agreements, identification of new areas of cooperation, and most importantly the transition to the practical implementation of specific projects.
Rudakov pointed to the interest of Lebanese businessmen in the Russian market, especially in agriculture, energy, mechanical engineering, medicine, pharmaceutical industries and advanced technology, in contrast to the interest of Russian companies in expanding their presence in Lebanon, which he described as a gateway to the Middle East.
The Russian ambassador also expressed his conviction that "Beirut 2" will be another important step on the path to strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Al-Bassat: We want investment partnerships that expand production and open markets for Lebanon
In turn, the Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat, affirmed that Lebanese companies continue to produce and search for new markets despite the difficulty of working in light of weak demand, scarcity of financing, and high costs, and that it is the state’s duty to open real opportunities for growth.
Al-Bassat set a clear economic vision for Lebanon to produce more, export more, and attract investments that build an economy capable of growth, while directing capital towards productive projects and long-term partnerships.
He stressed that the private sector will lead this path, while the state has the responsibility to gain its trust through reform, effective institutions, fair competition, clear rules, and a financial sector that regains its ability to finance.
He identified three priorities:
The first: expanding the presence of Lebanese products in the Russian market, from agriculture and food industries to light industries and services, with a practical treatment of standards, transportation mechanisms, and facilitation of payments.
Second: Building investment partnerships through joint projects that expand production, in which the partner provides capital, technology, expertise, or access to new markets.
Third: Follow-up, because the value of the forum will appear in the steps that follow it, calling for coming up with a short list of serious opportunities and obstacles that need to be addressed.
Al-Bassat concluded by stressing that Lebanon has great potential, and that the responsibility lies in giving it an opportunity to transform into investment, production, and job opportunities, hoping that “Beirut 2” will constitute a practical step on the path to strengthening economic cooperation between Lebanon and Russia.
Ross Levan: Our goal is to transform Lebanese-Russian relations into projects
The head of the Russian-Lebanese Cooperation Office, Ross Levan, Muhammad Nasser al-Din, confirmed that “Beirut 2” constitutes a new station on a path that began with “Beirut 1,” and its goal is to move from getting to know each other and exploring opportunities to building real partnerships and implementable projects.
He explained that Lebanese-Russian relations possess broad economic, commercial and investment components that need to be translated into numbers and agreements, pointing to great potential in trade, industry, agriculture, energy, technology, services, tourism, transportation and logistics.
He stressed that the importance of the forum lies in bringing together those with opportunities in one space, so that companies, businessmen and investors can meet directly, pointing out that the program includes presentations for companies, a discussion about interchangeable products, opportunities to enter markets, and bilateral business tables, which it is hoped will result in understandings and agreements. Nasser Al-Din stressed that the role of RosLevan does not end with the end of the forum, because the real value begins after its conclusion, when ideas turn into communications, contracts and projects.
