NNA - During the visit of H.E. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary Vice Minister of Ministry of External Affairs, India and Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, Director General, Ministry of External Affairs to Lebanon from 1-4 October 2022, a High-Level Business Seminar and Gala Dinner was organised by the Embassy of India in Beirut on October 3, 2022.
The Seminar was attended by the Minister of Industry H.E. Mr. George Bouchekian, Minister of Telecommunications H.E. Mr. Johnny Corm, DG Ministry of Industry H.E. Mr. Danny Gedaoun, DG Ministry of Economy and Trade H.E. Dr. Mohammad Abou Haidar, DG Ministry of Public Health H.E. Mr. Fadi Snan, H.E. Ms. Abir Ali, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affair, Representatives of all Chambers of Commerce in Lebanon, Members of ADLIR (Association of Development of Lebanese India Relations) and top business community. Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Commercial team and senior officers joined the Seminar from the Mission.
Ambassador Dr Khan in his welcome remarks, talked about bilateral relations and the trade potential between India and Lebanon. He spoke about the India-Lebanon bilateral trade, which is on its speedy track of recovery. India-Lebanon trade has achieved highest figures in the last five years. Last year, India’s exports to Lebanon were US$ 311 million. Not only exports from India to Lebanon has increased, but trade from Lebanon to India has also increased many folds in the last financial year.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, in his Key-Note address spoke at length about Economic recovery in India, post-Covid and gave an overview of India’s vision to become a 5 trillion USD Economy. He also shared Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of India of 2047. He invited Business delegation from Lebanon to India and said that he thinks that a target of bilateral trade of 1 Billion USD was possible in next 3 years.
Minister of Industry H.E. Mr. George Bouchekian, in his address, supported the idea of greater economic engagement with India while Minister of Telecommunications H.E. Mr. Johnny Corm said that India is a Role Model that Lebanese Industry and businesses should be looking at for growing Lebanese economy.
The Business Seminar also identified the main sectors like Gems and Jewellery, Pharmaceuticals, Machinery, Electronics, Food & Agriculture to focus for expanding bilateral trade. During the discussion at the dinner, the members of the business community appreciated the efforts of the Embassy for being so actively promoting India and supporting Lebanese business community by providing information, connecting with the Indian exporters, providing necessary guidance in doing business.
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