Tripoli Economic Development Forum
PART I | Launching the Vision – Institutional Foundations
09:30 – 10:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee
10:00 – 10:05 | Opening Remarks & Forum Introduction
Mr. Ibrahim Touma – Tripoli Special Economic Zone Board Member
Welcoming participants, introducing the objectives of the Forum.
10:05 – 10:10 | Institutional Partnerships for Sustainable Development
Arch. Chawki Fatfat – President, Order of Engineers and Architects, Tripoli
Institutional cooperation, the role of the Order, and opportunities for future collaboration.
10:10 – 10:15 | Private Sector Engagement in TSEZ's Success
Mr. Toufic Dabboussi – President, Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli and North Lebanon
Private sector outlook, economic opportunities in the North, and the private sector's role in supporting the success of the Zone.
10:15 – 10:20 | Strategic Partnerships for Regional Connectivity
Eng. Iskandar Bendali – Chairman of the Authority of Tripoli Port
Logistics outlook, Synergy with Special Economic Zone, Future Plans and Port’s role in advancing Economic development.
10:20 – 10:30 | The United Nations' Role in Supporting Sustainable Economic Development
Mr. Imran Riza – United Nations Resident Coordinator
Strengthening the business environment, opportunities for collaboration, skills development, and the green economy.
10:30 – 10:40 | National Agenda: Economic Recovery and Balanced Regional Development
Representative of the President Of Council of Ministers, H.E. Mr. Nawaf Salam
Government support for TSEZ, the strategic role of Tripoli in Lebanon's economic recovery, and balanced regional development.
10:40 – 10:45 | Tripoli Special Economic Zone: Vision, Progress and Priorities
Dr. Hassan Dennaoui – Chairman, Tripoli Special Economic Zone (TSEZ)
Overview of TSEZ, progress achieved to date, and priorities for the next phase of development.
NETWORKING BREAK
10:45 – 11:00 | Networking Break
Open to all participants – an opportunity for relationship-building, bilateral meetings, and media coverage.
PART III | Driving Development – Economic Opportunities
11:00 – 13:00 | Panel Discussions
Panel 1: 11:00 – 11:55 — Logistics, Regional Connectivity, and Global Opportunities
Focus: Positioning Tripoli as a global logistics hub, a gateway for regional connectivity, integrating the local economy with the SEZ, sharing private-sector success stories.
Moderator: Mr. Abdel-Majid Rafihi – TSEZ Board Member
Sub-topic 1: Positioning Tripoli as a Logistics Hub
Speakers: Dr. Ahmad Tamer (Director of Port of Tripoli);
Dr. Sateh El-Arnaout (Chief Technical Advisor, Presidency of the Council of Ministers – TSEZ logistical positioning study); Mr. John Chedid ( Country Manager,DHL)
Sub-topic 2: Connecting the Local Market with the SEZ & Opportunities for SEZ Tenants
Speakers : Mr. Jacques Sarraf (Chairman of Board at Malia Group) ;
Mr. Sami Soughayar ( Chief Executive Officer- MATELEC)
11:55 – 12:00 | Open Discussion & Q&A
Panel 2: 12:00 – 13:00 — Engaging Private Sector, Bridging the Skills Gap, and Workforce Development
Focus: Engaging Private sector in the economic development process, Addressing the gap between the education/vocational sectors and the actual needs of the labour market and industries within the SEZ.
Moderator: Mr. Yousef Moawad – TSEZ Board Member
Sub-topic 1: Labour Market Gap Analysis & Employment Strategies
Speaker: Mr. Jose-Manuel Medina Checa, (Senior Specialist, Employers’ Activities at ILO Regional Office for Arab States )— insights and statistics on market gaps and workforce readiness
Sub-topic 2: Vocational Training & Local Skills Enhancement
Speakers: Mr. David Chebab (TVET Expert)
Dr. Samer Annous (Tripoli Institute for Policy Studies)
Sub-topic 3: The Private Sector's Growth Requirements and financing
Speakers: Mrs. Lara Haidar (Project Coordinator Institutional Strengthening for the Implementation of Montreal Protocol National Ozone Unit at UNDP),
Mrs. Christina Abou Char (Principal Manager, Advice for Small Businesses European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD),
Mrs. Yolla Sarieddine (Deputy General Manager at Kafalat S.A.L)
13:00 – 13:10 | Open Discussion & Q&A 13:10 – 13:20 | Closing Remarks