Lebanon’s Private Sector Takes the Lead: Turning Policy into Action
June 2, 2025
It is great to be back in Lebanon and witness the innovation, ideas and enthusiasm of the brilliant minds that have been the backbone of the economy continue to strive for progress and prosperity.
Last week I attended the @lebanese_private_sector Policy in Action event in Beirut, listened to government Ministers and talented business leaders across a broad spectrum of industries exchange ideas and opportunities and it lifted my spirits and restored hope that Lebanon is on its way back!
Despite Israel’s attempt to destroy the economy and frighten off investment in Lebanon over the past 20 months and still continues to do so by bombing the south and Bekaa regions, the Lebanese are not giving up – as has been our practice throughout history.
Congratulations to all who brought this together and hug thanks to @hmaidantarek @thawra.tv for stepping in as my cameraman on the day. 🙏🏼💗
Onward and upward. ✊🏼🇱🇧
#LebanonWorks #PolicyToAction #DigitalPlatform #Entrepreneurship #TheNetwork #PrivateSector #Innovation #Lebanon #Recovery #بالفعل
English Script:
Daizy Gedeon: Today I’m back in Beirut after a short stay in Sydney, and I’m attending an event that is unusual compared to what I’ve normally been reporting upon. But I wanted to report on it because it’s positive, it’s exciting, and it’s something that you need to know about. I’m at the Lebanese Private Sector Network event. I’m a member of the LPSN, and today they’re launching the Lebanon Works program. It’s been in action for two years. But now we’re getting into the nitty gritty and really moving Lebanon forward. There are hubs around this room in this auditorium. There are ministers, there are members of Parliament here, including the Minister of Tourism, the Minister for AI and Technology and many others. And when I walked around the rooms and I’ll show you some of that footage, listening to the ideas being presented by members of the Lebanese Private Sector Network is very exciting, and that’s what we got to think about. Lebanon is definitely on the move forward. People still think that there’s negativity and a cloud hanging over Lebanon. Definitely. We’re not out of the woods yet, but this new government, starting from when the president was elected in January, the new prime minister was appointed and the ministers in the cabinet. We have seen a tremendous shift forward, and so I encourage everyone around the world who are considering coming to Lebanon, especially non-Lebanese, take a chance. There is no risk if you obviously stay away from the danger areas which are on the border with Israel and on the borders with Syria. Lebanon is alive and thriving and this summer is going to be better than ever. I’m not doing a commercial. I’m not trying to do an ad. I’m just trying to give you the facts. My kids are here. I wouldn’t bring my kids to Lebanon if I thought it was unsafe. I love this place and they’re having the best time, and this is what Lebanon is about. This resourceful determination and spirit that will defy every odd to continue to build this country. So, I hope to see you here. So, we’re walking through the auditorium, we’re seeing different presentations. You can hear applause. In here, we have the Member of Parliament, Najat Saliba, who is a Change Reform MP, and she’s sitting with a group of very talented people talking about water health. Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East that has pure flowing water. It’s a rarity and it’s something that every other middle eastern country wants. But let’s move across. Over here, we have the Minister for tourism discussing with the band of members of the tourism industry, presenting ideas to move Lebanon’s tourism industry. Over here, we’ve got home based health care, very important for Lebanon, because health is a real issue, and trying to get medical support and medical treatment is a major problem for Lebanon because it’s so expensive. Here again, we have ideas being presented by different industry leaders to ministers, as well as institutional heads. Let’s take a walk over here. “Lebanon Works for all, embracing every ability, unlocking every talent”. And at the end is one of the most exciting presentations. It’s the digital presentation. They’re presenting a concept called GOVX to the Minister for Digital Technology Kamal Chehade. Let’s go in, have a look. And the final hub sector here. That was Kamal Chehade, making a presentation. One of the most innovative ideas coming out of the government is the idea to digitize the Lebanese government and digitize the whole system. It would be phenomenal if it takes place because it will reduce the possibility of corruption significantly. Everything being online tracks all the movement from money to contracts to anything that’s related to where you can execute corruption, will be minimized. So here we’re going into the green and gold environment hub and you’ll see lots of people standing up, presenting their ideas.
