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"Technical Assistance for Effective Local Governance and Strategic Policy Planning in the Bekaa: Bekaa Socio - Economic Forum (BSEF)"
In partnership with USJ & Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture - Zahle and Bekaa
In a step described as a turning point on the path toward integrated development in the Bekaa, a landmark conference was held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in the Bekaa. The event was organized by the Lebanese Association for Development (LEB ID), headed by Mrs. Gihane Jabbour Haddad, in collaboration with Saint Joseph University (USJ).
This event was not a spontaneous occurrence—it had been in preparation for nearly a year through a joint committee that oversaw all the work details. The committee held several preparatory meetings, most notably the steering committee meeting at the Kadri Grand Hotel and another with the media at the Higher Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Food Industry Engineering, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Saint Joseph University – Taanayel.
According to the organizers, the goal of the conference was to launch a comprehensive socio-economic platform that brings together partners from both the public and private sectors, as well as from academia and civil society, to ensure balanced advancement across all sectors of the Bekaa region.
Key thematic areas were identified—agriculture, industry, health, culture, and tourism—with each sectoral committee tasked with organizing specialized workshops and seminars involving as many stakeholders as possible. The aim is to build a sustainable network of communication and cooperation.
The conference opened with a roundtable discussion that brought together more than twenty figures representing various agricultural sectors in Lebanon. After an in-depth discussion lasting more than two hours, participants issued recommendations aimed at supporting and revitalizing the agricultural sector.
Following the roundtable, the official conference launch took place, featuring several speeches, most notably by His Excellency the Governor of the Bekaa, Judge Kamal Abou Jaoude, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, Mr. Mounir Teeny, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Zahle and Bekaa, and Professor Wadih Skaff representing Saint Joseph University. The event concluded with a speech by Mrs. Gihane Jabbour Haddad, President of LEB ID, who reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to collaboration with all stakeholders for the benefit of the region and its people.
The conference was attended by a number of prominent political, social, and economic figures, including MP Michel Daher and his wife Mrs. Marlene Daher, MP Elias Estephan, MP Charbel Maroun, MP Samer Tawm, former Minister Gaby Layoun, former MP Chant Chinchinian, Mr. Nicolas Abou Fayssal, President of the Industrialists’ Association in the Bekaa, Mr. Ziad Saadeh, President of the Zahle Traders Association, as well as several representatives of religious authorities, and notable academic, media, cultural, and economic personalities.
This conference truly marked a new starting point for the Bekaa, paving the way toward balanced and sustainable development.
