Lebanese Ambassador: Kuwait is the true support for Beirut

The Chairman and Managing Director of the Tripoli Special Economic Zone, Dr. Hassan Al-Dinawi, has called on Kuwaiti investors to take advantage of the promising investment opportunities offered by the Special Economic Zone in northern Lebanon. He emphasized that the zone is governed by a modern legal framework that provides significant financial incentives and administrative facilitations, aiming to attract foreign investments and Kuwaiti companies, whether those operating locally or with an international footprint.

Speaking during a dialogue session titled “Tripoli: The Gateway to Investment: The Special Economic Zone and Promising Opportunities,” moderated by legal advisor Dr. Bilal Al-Sandid, Dr. Al-Dinawi stated that his visit to Kuwait aims to market the Special Economic Zone project and present new investment opportunities to the Kuwaiti private sector. He noted that Kuwait represents a historical partner for Lebanon, with a prominent presence in investments and developmental projects.

He clarified that the Special Economic Zone benefits from a contemporary legislative framework offering important financial and administrative incentives, with the goal of making Tripoli an attractive destination for foreign investments and a new hub for business, trade, and logistics. He affirmed that Tripoli and northern Lebanon possess the necessary foundations to become a significant investment and logistics center, supported by the Lebanese government and international institutions. He pointed to preparations for the relaunch of Qlayaa Airport, also known as President Rene Moawad Airport, scheduled for the second half of November, alongside efforts to expand the Port of Tripoli and study the establishment of a railway line connecting the city to the Lebanese-Syrian border, thereby enhancing its connectivity to the Arab hinterland and regional markets.

For his part, the Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait, Ghadi Al-Khoury, affirmed that Tripoli is one of the key ports on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the second-largest port in Lebanon. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Special Economic Zone, which offers multiple investment opportunities, particularly in the sectors of transport, trade, and logistics.

The ambassador praised Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations, emphasizing that Lebanon holds a special place in the hearts of Kuwaitis, with many considering it their second home, as evidenced by the large number of Kuwaitis owning properties in various Lebanese regions. He added that Kuwaiti investments in Lebanon have a significant presence at both individual and official levels, alongside the aid and support provided by Kuwait over the years. He stressed that Kuwait is not merely a sister country but a genuine pillar of support for Lebanon.

He expressed his country’s appreciation for all that Kuwait has provided and continues to offer in terms of support and assistance, voicing his aspiration to strengthen economic and investment partnership between the two countries in the coming phase.

The dialogue session highlighted the strategic importance of Tripoli as Lebanon’s economic capital and the role of the Special Economic Zone in transforming geographical assets and infrastructure into investment opportunities and productive projects that create jobs and support development.

The session’s agenda highlighted the importance of integration among the Special Economic Zone, the Port of Tripoli, the railway network, the Qlayaat Airport, and the Rashid Karami International Exhibition, to form a comprehensive platform for industry, trade, logistics, and exports, rather than treating these facilities as separate projects. It also addressed developments related to the inclusion of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli in the Indian-Middle East-European Economic Corridor Ports Club, and the new opportunities this could open for Lebanon to strengthen its position on the international trade map and link regional and global markets.