With the support of IDAL, Lebanon participated at GITEX 2017, which was inaugurated in Dubai between 8 to 12 October 2017. IDAL supported 22 Lebanese start-ups and SMEs with the aim of forging partnerships and meeting potential investors. The Chairman, Eng. Nabil Itani, who officially opened the Lebanese pavilion accompanied by Lebanon's Consul in Abu Dhabi, Sami Nmeir, declared that the ICT sector in Lebanon grew at a cumulative rate of 7% between 2014 and 2016.

The Lebanese participation in this exhibition was a significant success, with a number of Lebanese companies receiving financial awards and ratings, including Modeo and Cherpa, which won a cash prize of $ 15,000 each. The first was awarded the best idea prize, while the second won the best youth employment startup prize.
As for the global competition organized by "Wamda", Fig startup  won the fintech track, will Lightsense won the telecommunication track.

In anticipation of the Anuga exhibition, which will be held on Oct. 7-11 in Cologne, Germany, IDAL`s Chairman, Nabil Itani held a preparatory meeting with the Syndicate of the Lebanese Agrofood Industrialists to discuss details of participation and ways to enhance the Lebanese products access to European markets. This participation aims at increasing Lebanese products exports in addition to the establishment of an exchange platform between exporters and commercial centers in Europe.

A delegation from IDAL participated at the LDE conference, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Las Vegas - USA. In the "Knowledge Economy: Public Private Partnerships and Educational Institutions" session, IDAL tackled the ICT sector in Lebanon, which grew by 7% between 2014 and 2016 and is expected to grow by 9.7% in 2019.
IDAL also hosted a gala dinner in honor of participating expatriates. Mr. Merched Al-Hajj Chahine, Member of the Board of Directors, delivered a speech on behalf of the Chairman Nabil Itani at the dinner. He called to join forces, so together, we can work for a better more prosperous country, one that is at par with expatriates dreams and aspirations.

IDAL's Chairman, Eng. Nabil Itani, headed a fact finding mission to Stockholm - Sweden for three days to get a comprehensive picture of how Stockholm City has worked to create a knowledge economy and an environment for start-ups to flourish and develop a partnership with concerned entities to foster knowledge transfer between the 2 countries. Eng. Itani declared the visit very fruitful and shall provide Lebanon with the necessary expertise to reach the world; especially that IDAL is in the process of launching a business support unit that will provide free consulting services for start-ups.