Lebanese Minister Rasamni stated that he aims to develop port and railway networks to reach the markets of Türkiye, the Gulf and Iraq.

Stating that they aim to reach the markets of Türkiye, the Gulf and Iraq, Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Rasamni stated that they aim to connect Lebanon to Syria by renewing the railway lines, as well as establishing a commercial network through ports. Evaluating the work on railways and ports in Lebanon, Rasamni stated that the importance of Lebanese ports has increased at a time when the tension between the USA and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and its reflections on world trade continue.

The Lebanese Minister stated that, in addition to developing ports and their infrastructure, they are working on a railway connection with Syria in order to reach a regional network extending to the Gulf, Iraq and Türkiye.

Rasamni said, "Lebanese ports are the basis of all new routes under construction in the region. Developing these ports and connecting them to regional transportation networks in Türkiye, Syria and the Gulf is an opportunity that will increase Lebanon's commercial role." he said.

"WE TRUST IN ANKARA'S HELP"

"Türkiye has a huge role due to its proximity to Europe, the Gulf and Syria and its developed railway network." Rasamni pointed out that Türkiye will play a key role in any future regional transportation network. Rasamni expressed that they trust that Ankara will help them in this and similar projects. Rasamni also stated that he received an invitation and would go to Ankara soon to discuss the project and other issues.

Stating that limiting the project to connecting Syria and Lebanon would not provide the desired economic benefit, Rasamni said, "The benefit occurs when Lebanon and Syrian ports are connected to the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Türkiye. That is when we are all connected to each other, and the economic benefit motivates investors to invest in the railway connection." he said.

'THE REAL OPPORTUNITY WILL COME WITH TRANSIT NETWORKS'

Rasamni noted that Lebanon's highways cannot meet the increase in the transportation of goods and products, and mentioned that the priority is to activate Lebanon's ports and infrastructure. The Lebanese Minister emphasized that connecting the Tripoli Port to the Syrian border and then to the Syrian railway network will facilitate transportation and offer additional options to traders, and said that railways are one of these solutions.

Rasamni noted that ports serve the local market and production, and stated that the real opportunity will be the connection of these ports to regional transit networks.

Talking about Lebanon's railway project, Rasamni said, "By reoperating the railway lines, we aim not only to connect Lebanon and Syria, but also to connect Lebanese ports to the Gulf, Iraq and Turkey markets through regional networks." he said.

Pointing out that the developments in the waterways in the region, especially in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, have increased the importance of Lebanese ports and their ability to attract investment, Rasamni said the following about the data and future plans for Beirut and Tripoli ports:

"The capacity of Beirut Port is currently approximately 1.2 million containers per year. We are working to increase this to approximately 3 million containers. We aim to increase the capacity of Tripoli Port from approximately 300 thousand containers to over one million."