Khouri: Kuwait is a true pillar for Lebanon.. with wide opportunities to enhance partnership
Ambassador Ghadi Khouri affirmed that Kuwait is a pillar for Lebanon, while Hassan Al-Dounawi called on investors to take advantage of incentives in the Tripoli Economic Zone.
Translated by Qiyas from الوسط — Original source
- Al-Dhannaoui: Tripoli is a promising investment gateway for Kuwait... with incentives and facilitations to attract its companies
The Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait, Ghadi Al-Khoury, praised the depth of Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations, affirming that Kuwait is a genuine pillar of support for Lebanon and holds a special place in the hearts of Lebanese people. He added that many Kuwaitis consider Lebanon their second home, a fact reflected in the ownership of properties by a large number of them across various Lebanese regions.
Al-Khoury, speaking during a dialogue session titled “Tripoli: The Investment Gateway – The Special Economic Zone and Promising Opportunities,” noted 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 explained that Tripoli is one of the key ports on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the second-largest port in Lebanon. He emphasized that the Special Economic Zone holds strategic importance and offers multiple investment opportunities, particularly in the sectors of transport, trade, and logistics.
He pointed out that Tripoli’s location, its proximity to Qlayaat Airport, and its connectivity to Syrian and Arab markets give it significant potential to become a regional trade hub. He highlighted that several ideas and projects are under consideration, including reassessing the feasibility of opening a pipeline to transport oil from Iraq to Lebanon, with the possibility of extending it from Kuwait to Lebanon in the future, which could open additional avenues for trade and investment.
He noted that the challenges facing shipping through certain maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, underscore the importance of exploring additional commercial and logistics routes. He added that shipping via Lebanon and the Port of Tripoli could provide suitable options for delivering goods to Kuwait and other Gulf countries.
In response to questions regarding investment security in Lebanon, Al-Khoury stated that the final investment decision rests with the investor, while the state’s role is limited to presenting available opportunities and providing necessary information, allowing investors to choose what suits them based on their own assessments.
A Modern Legal Framework
For his part, Dr. Hassan Al-Dinawi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Tripoli Special Economic Zone, urged Kuwaiti investors to take advantage of the promising investment opportunities offered by the zone in northern Lebanon during a dialogue session moderated by legal advisor Dr. Bilal Al-Sandood. He emphasized that the zone operates under 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 presence.
Al-Dinawi revealed that preparations are underway to relaunch Qleiat Airport, known as the President of the Martyr René Moawad Airport, during the second half of November. This initiative runs parallel to efforts to expand the Port of Tripoli and study the establishment of a railway line connecting the city to the Lebanese-Syrian border, thereby strengthening its ties with the Arab hinterland and regional markets.
He sent a message to Kuwaiti investors stating that Tripoli and northern Lebanon are entering a new phase of promising projects, and that investing there represents an opportunity to enter a logistics and commercial market characterized by a strategic location and significant future potential.
A Route for Kuwaiti and Gulf Trade
Regarding the possibility of the Port of Tripoli serving as an additional route for trade and shipping to Kuwait and Gulf countries amid challenges facing some maritime corridors, Hassan Al-Dinawi confirmed that the port and the Special Economic Zone could serve as a supportive logistics platform for Kuwaiti business activities. He stressed that opportunities are not limited to the oil sector but extend to various fields, including food products, consumer goods, logistics services, and international trade. He noted that Tripoli does not seek to replace existing trade corridors but rather to offer an additional option that contributes to diversifying trade routes and supporting the movement of Kuwaiti private sector activities.
An Integrated Investment System
Al-Dinawi clarified that Tripoli and northern Lebanon possess the fundamentals that qualify them to transform into a significant investment and logistics hub, given the support their projects receive from the Lebanese government and international institutions. He pointed out that the integration of facilities and infrastructure would enhance the region’s attractiveness to foreign investments.
He added that airport and port development projects, along with the study of railway connectivity, could lay the foundation for an integrated system for transport, trade, and logistics services, granting Tripoli additional potential to attract capital and companies.
