IDAL`s Chairman Eng. Nabil Itani welcomed today the Minister of State for Technology, Adel Afiouni. They held a meeting to discuss the cooperation in developing a common vision for the ICT sector. Itani said the sector grew by 7 percent between 2014 and 2016, while the expected growth rate between 2016 and 2019 is estimated at 10 percent. He stressed that the development of this sector enhances Lebanon's position as a technology hub in the Middle East. For his part, Minister Afiouni declared that cooperation with IDAL is a key factor in the development and implementation of ambitious plans to support the ICT sector and move towards a knowledge economy.

IDAL's Chairman, Eng. Nabil Itani, met with Minister of State for Foreign Trade Hassan Mourad today to discuss the initiatives and programs carried out by IDAL in the framework of the development of Lebanese exports. Eng. Itani spoke about the export programs under IDAL's mandate, which include agriculture, food industries and technology, underlining IDAL`s strategy for these programs over the next two years.

Under the governmental strategic partnership of IDAL, the MITEF Arab Startup Competition held its 12^th session in Beirut in the presence of Minister Adel Afiouni representing Mr. Prime Minister Saad Hariri. IDAL`s chairman Eng. Nabil Itani had a keynote speech in the inaugural session, expressing his pride in our talented youth and their entrepreneurial spirit, especially that 19 of the 66 Arab teams competing are Lebanese. Awards were handed out to 9 winners from the Arab world, 3 of which are Lebanese, in 3 competition Tracks.

IDAL participated at the Lebanese-Chinese Investment Forum held in Beirut on 30 March 2019. IDALss Chairman Eng. Nabil Itani, presented in his speech the promising investment opportunities in which interested Chinese companies can invest. The forum witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Federation of Lebanese Chambers concerning the establishment of the Arab-Chinese Arbitration Center. Another memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Council and the Ministry of Industry to promote Chinese investments in the Lebanese industrial areas.