Saudi Initiative for Lebanon’s Beirut One Conference
ملخص
In r/Lebanon, this announcement covers a Saudi initiative to attend the Beirut One investment conference on November 18–19. The event aims to connect Lebanon with Arab partners, its diaspora, and international investors, as economic reforms and a potential IMF agreement remain central to attracting investment.
Bsat: Saudi initiative to attend ‘Beirut One’ investment conference
LEBANON
Bsat: Saudi initiative to attend ‘Beirut One’ investment conference
L'Orient Today / 15 November 2025 03:39
Bsat: Saudi initiative to attend ‘Beirut One’ investment conference
The Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bsat, during a press conference on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Credit: Stephanie Bechara / L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — The Minister of Economy Amer Bsat told local television channel LBCI on Saturday that "there is an initiative from the Saudis to attend an investment conference in Lebanon called ‘Beirut One’,” calling it the "beginning of a path and a very positive development.”
The Beirut One conference, scheduled for Nov. 18–19, will bring together the private sector, the diaspora, and international partners to secure investments and support. It coincides with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States on Nov. 18, where a joint U.S.-Saudi investment forum will also be held.
“The way we are thinking through the conference is to break the stagnation and disconnection, and to reconnect Lebanon economically with its Arab surroundings, its diaspora, and our Arab brothers. We want to create a new narrative about this country", the minister noted. “Through the ‘Beirut One’ Conference, we want to create a new narrative about Lebanon, that it is not just a country that begs and holds talks with donors, funds and the IMF, but a country with its own private sector and investments", the minister said.
Many observers caution that foreign investment will remain limited until Lebanon reaches an IMF agreement, which requires implementing financial reforms. Since the 2020 default, Lebanon has struggled to convince the Fund of its readiness to stabilize the financial system.
Bsat added that the conference is “an indication of success” and that Saudi participation is “very healthy.” “Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is organic and sentimental. Transformations, including tighter port control, show the right path has begun,” he said.
A senior Saudi official told Reuters tha...
Post Author: /u/EreshkigalKish2
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In Sour, World Bank pledges support to rebuild water stations destroyed by Israel
RECONSTRUCTION
In Sour, World Bank pledges support to rebuild water stations destroyed by Israel
L'Orient Today / By L'Orient Today staff, 9 November 2025 07:18
In Sour, World Bank pledges support to rebuild water stations destroyed by Israel
A man walks past damage caused by Israeli attacks in Tayr Debba (Sour), Nov.30, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour Archive photo)
SOUTH LEBANON — A World Bank (WB) delegation visited the southern Lebanese coastal city of Sour on Sunday to assess the damage caused by Israeli strikes, including a major hit on the local water station that has left more than 100,000 residents without reliable access to water. The international financial institution reaffirmed its commitment to help rehabilitate the critical infrastructure.
The delegation included 11 senior officials, among them Jean-Christophe Carret, director of the WB's Middle East division; Abdelaziz al-Mulla, the institution’s Middle East representative; and Enrique Armas, director of its Lebanon office.
"Despite ongoing Israeli aggression, the municipality of Sour, together with Civil Defense teams, the Islamic Mission Scouts Association [a rescue group affiliated with the Amal Movement] and first responders from the Disaster Management Unit of the Federation of Sour Municipalities, have ensured water distribution via tanker trucks until a temporary solution can be implemented after the war," said Sour Deputy Mayor Alouane Charafeddine. He noted the municipality is working with the South Lebanon Water Establishment, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
A temporary connection network with external water sources currently pumps about 5,000 cubic meters per day, compared with the destroyed station’s 14,000-cubic-meter capacity, Charafeddine said. The municipality also thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for funding $840,000 toward partial reconstruction of the station.
The World Bank delegation said it plans to support damaged water stations across southern L...
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