The Lebanon office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli and the North, and the Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT), held a session this week to present its latest consulting programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative, backed by the European Union, aims to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of Lebanese SMEs through targeted strategic support, particularly in light of the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
Addressing a room full of business leaders and private sector stakeholders, the EBRD unveiled two new components of its advisory program. The first, “Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy,” targets agri-food industries with a focus on improving waste management practices and adopting sustainable technologies. The second, “Innovation,” provides financial assistance to companies looking to invest in research and development (R&D), whether to create new products or optimize internal processes.
Toufic Dabboussi, the President of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the initiative, calling for a broader national economic vision centered around Tripoli, which he described as a potential hub for investment and growth.
Khalil Denguezli, the head of the EBRD’s Lebanon office, underlined the central role of SMEs in Lebanon’s economic recovery. “Supporting SMEs is not just important, it is fundamental to the bank’s mission,” he noted.
Nasri Mouawad, the President of BIAT, echoed the call for stronger collaboration, stressing the need for “transformative partnerships” that would elevate Northern Lebanese enterprises to new levels of visibility and competitiveness, both regionally and internationally.
According to the EBRD, more than 330 companies across Lebanon have already benefited from its advisory programs, with marked improvements in productivity, adaptability and overall economic impact.
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