BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 31 (NNN-XINHUA) – Gao Yan, chairwoman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), announced the opening of an office for CCPIT in Lebanon.
“CCPIT in Lebanon will cooperate with Lebanese chambers, to improve commercial and trade ties between Lebanon and China,” Gao said.
She added that, China is Lebanon’s largest trade partner and her country is keen on maintaining this position in the coming years.
Gao’s remarks came, during the China-Lebanon Investment Forum, which aimed at drawing a road-map for the future of cooperation between Lebanon and China.
The event, which took place at Adnan Kassar Edifice for Arab Economy in Beirut, saw the participation of Lebanese officials, the Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, Wang Kejian, and representatives of the economic sectors in Lebanon and China.
Gao also signed two memorandums of understanding with Lebanese officials, for the promotion of Chinese investment and collaboration on Lebanon’s industrial zones and the creation of the China-Arab Arbitration Centre.
Rayan Kouatly, secretary general of the Lebanese Arbitration Centre, emphasised the importance of the establishment of an arbitration centre to solve legal disputes to boost business cooperation.
Union of Arab Chambers Honorary Chairman, Adnan Kassar, described the initiatives taken during the event as a new official beginning for building strong Lebanese-Chinese relations.
“The CCPIT chairwoman chose Lebanon as the first official visit’s destination in the Arab world, which is a great honour for our country … Lebanon plays an important and strategic role in the Belt and Road Initiative,” Kassar said.
Lebanese and Chinese officials emphasised the importance of boosting ties between the two countries.
“We have to be committed to increasing ties between the two countries, in different areas, which will have a positive impact on the peoples of China and Lebanon,” Gao said.
She also called upon Chinese companies to invest in Lebanon’s industrial zones, which will increase the country’s exports, while expanding Middle East markets.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Telecommunications Minister, Mohammad Choucair, representing Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, said, Lebanon hopes to create trade balance with China.
Choucair added that, Lebanon is preparing to launch a set of new projects within the framework of CEDRE, an international conference supporting Lebanon with 11 billion U.S. dollars in loans and donations, to revamp the country’s ailing infrastructure and bolster its economy.
“We call upon Chinese companies to partner with Lebanese businesses, to implement these projects. We, from our side, promise to offer all the needed facilities for this purpose,” he said.– NNN-XINHUA
