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Below is the economic bulletin from the National News Agency (NNA), part of the economic file of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA).

Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport Intensifies Efforts to Develop Infrastructure

By Amima Shamseddine

Beirut, October 14 (KUNA) -- Despite the successive crises that have exhausted Lebanon, starting from the economic and financial crisis through to the ongoing aggression lasting nearly three years, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is exerting maximum efforts to implement several projects aimed at boosting the economy. These include improvements at Rafic Hariri International Airport, the launch of the Qlayaa Airport in the northern town of Qlayaa, the development of the Port of Beirut, as well as projects covering infrastructure, roads, and areas affected by the aggression.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni spoke to the National News Agency about the ministry’s key achievements, its projects, their significance, and their impact on the Lebanese economy and citizens’ lives.

He stated, “Since we assumed our responsibilities, we have adopted an approach based on rehabilitating and developing vital facilities and linking them to one another, because Lebanon’s economic future is tied to its ability to leverage its geographic location and transform it into a hub for trade, transport, and logistics. At Rafic Hariri International Airport, we launched a comprehensive development workshop that included improving passenger facilities, rehabilitating the VIP lounge, enhancing safety procedures, and addressing issues related to foul odors, birds, and surrounding hazards. At Qlayaa Airport, we moved to the actual implementation phase after years of stagnation, expanding the passenger terminal building from approximately 2,000 to 4,700 square meters, and working to complete technical, security, and navigational preparations in anticipation of commencing commercial operations as soon as readiness conditions are met.”

Regarding the Port of Beirut, he pointed to “the launch of a container terminal expansion project with private investment valued at $100 million, aimed at increasing its capacity from 1.2 million to approximately 3 million TEUs annually, alongside developing infrastructure, gates, and operational equipment.”

As for the Port of Tripoli, he said, “We are working on the railway file, and the study and updating of designs for the Tripoli-Aboudieh line, which spans approximately 35 kilometers, have been contracted. The goal is to connect the port to the Syrian railway network, reaching regional markets. We are also working to achieve integration between the port, the Special Economic Zone, and Qlayaa Airport, thereby strengthening the North’s position on the transport and trade map.”

Regarding recent strategic achievements, the Minister of Public Works drew attention to “the accession of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli to the IMEC Ports Club and their signing of a joint declaration in New Delhi on October 6,” clarifying that “this step opens up prospects for cooperation between these ports and international ports in areas such as trade connectivity, supply chains, digitalization, and trade facilitation.”

On the level of roads, he announced the launch of a rehabilitation project for approximately 17 kilometers of the Dahr al-Baidar road, along with the completion of works in several areas. Regarding public transport, he noted the expansion of the network from 3 to 11 lines, with efforts underway to increase it to 16 lines, the receipt of 20 new buses from the Sultanate of Oman, and the launch of an electric bus trial between Jbeil and Beirut.

In response to a question about what has been accomplished in the south amid ongoing Israeli attacks, he said, “Since the ceasefire, ministry teams have moved to reopen roads, secure crossings, and reconnect damaged towns and villages, despite continued Israeli attacks and the risks facing field operations. We have worked on reopening and rehabilitating key axes, including Al-Qasimiya, Al-Khardali, and Burj Rahal, and we implemented a temporary crossing at Qa’qaa Al-Jisr to re-establish connectivity between the Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil areas. We have also begun field preparations to construct an alternative temporary crossing for the damaged Tair Faliseh Bridge.”

Emphasizing that Minister Rasmeyni stated, “The priority has been and remains restoring mobility to damaged areas and ensuring citizens’ access to their homes, lands, and businesses, alongside preparations for the permanent reconstruction of bridges and roads,” he added, “We recognize that every road we reopen in the south carries significance beyond traffic flow, as it reconnects villages with their surroundings, contributes to restoring economic and social activity, and supports residents’ resilience and ability to remain on their land.”

Responding to a question about the importance of these projects and their impact on the Lebanese economy and citizens’ lives, he said, “We view these projects as investments in Lebanon’s economic capacity and competitiveness. Developing the airport supports tourism and investment; modernizing ports enhances trade and logistics efficiency; and rehabilitating roads and public transport reduces travel costs and improves safety and daily services. However, the greatest economic value is realized when we connect ports with road and rail networks, border crossings, and regional markets. For this reason, we are working on a logistics link between Beirut Port and the Bekaa Valley and the Syrian border, including a proposal to establish a dry port in the Bekaa. We are also pursuing a rail link between Tripoli Port and Al-Abdouya, with the aim of connecting it to the Syrian network and the markets it serves. This linkage will enable, in the future, an expansion of transit traffic, lower freight transport costs, stimulate storage and logistics services, attract investments, and create new jobs. It also offers the North, with its port, airport, and economic zone, an opportunity to develop a broader economic role.”

He pointed out that “the participation of Beirut and Tripoli ports in the IMEC Ports Club aligns with this vision, at a stage when new trade networks linking India, the Middle East, and Europe are taking shape. It provides the two ports with a platform for cooperation, partnership building, and the development of connectivity, supply chains, and digital transformation, while emphasizing that this participation does not mean Lebanon’s formal accession to the IMEC project itself.”

Regarding future projects, he revealed “a group of strategic projects we are advancing to more mature stages, including completing preparations to commence commercial operations at Qleiaat Airport after meeting technical and security standards, continuing the modernization of Beirut Airport, and implementing the expansion project for the container terminal at Beirut Port.” He highlighted “giving special priority to the rail link between Tripoli Port and Al-Abdouya, where the file has moved to the phase of updated studies and designs that will determine costs, economic feasibility, implementation mechanisms, and financing. We are also following up on the logistics corridor project for Beirut Port toward the Bekaa and the Syrian border.”

He also disclosed “the comprehensive plan to develop the Al-Masnaa crossing, with an estimated cost of nearly $62 million, aimed at regulating the movement of trucks and passengers, updating equipment and inspection systems, implementing digitalization, and enhancing trade flow with Syria and Arab markets.”

“We are working to rally international support for this project,” he noted, adding that “the expansion of the bus network to 16 routes is being completed, and in the south, efforts are underway to transition from border crossings and temporary solutions to permanent reconstruction. We have also initiated a new process to restore direct flights between Lebanon and the United States by addressing legal, technical, and security requirements and coordinating with relevant international bodies. This process requires meeting international standards before a concrete operational date can be set.”

Minister Rasameh concluded his remarks on the challenges facing the Ministry of Public Works by explaining that “the challenges are significant, foremost among them being years of accumulated neglect in maintenance and infrastructure investment, limited financial resources, security conditions, as well as staffing vacancies in the ministry’s administrative and technical cadres and bureaucratic complexities that hinder the speed of decision-making and project implementation.”

He added, “We are addressing these challenges by preparing well-studied, financeable, and executable projects, attracting investments, strengthening international partnerships, and optimizing the use of available resources, while simultaneously accelerating procedures and enhancing coordination among departments within legal frameworks to ensure transparency and safeguard the state’s interests and public funds. Our goal is to restore the efficiency of public utilities, enhance Lebanon’s competitiveness, reconnect its economy with regional and international markets, and translate these projects into tangible results that citizens can experience in their daily lives.” (End) Nana