Lebanese Republic 
A Cooperation Agreement
“towards the Future, towards Lebanon as a Digital Country,”
Blockchaining Lebanon
Minister of Economy and Trade in the caretaker government, Amin Salam, signed a cooperation agreement with the companies’ alliance of: Digi Web LLC represented by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, M. Fadi Al Sayyah; Choueh Law Firm represented by Attorney –at-Law Charbel Choueh and the Lebanese Association for Digital Transformation (LADT) represented by Mrs. Randa Al Rifai, in order to train the Ministry´s staffs on Blockchain Technology in addition to provide practical solutions to both the Ministry´s and citizens interest. It was also agreed to launch the Blockchaining Lebanon conference aiming to:
- Put Lebanon on the path to the third generation internet;
- Support the Ministry of Economy, in particular and the Lebanese Ministries in general in the field of digital transformation process which strengthens transparency between the Government and the citizen;
- Create new investment opportunities in the sector of the third generation internet;
- Motivate the Lebanese youth and companies to shift towards the third generation internet.
In this regard, the companies Alliance discussed with Minister Salam the work plan and the practical ways toward implementing this agreement as soon as possible.
For his part, Minister Amin Salam stated: "Digital transformation imposes itself nowadays as an utmost urgency in Lebanon within digital transformations and technology that the region and world are witnessing. Technology constitutes the main pillar and the first driver for innovation and creativity in order to develop the work methods as well the public and private sector´ companies; to reform and develop public administrations in addition to support digital economy that constitutes one of the pillars of the countries´ economy.
Furthermore, this cooperation agreement is considered to be the first step on Lebanon’s path to progress, toward the lebanese economic path in the first place, as digital transformation experiences in other countries have proven that technology is an essential deterrent against corruption, assuring that it also improves transparency in the public sector; and enhances services, operations and communication between institutions and citizens. This technology plays an important role in developing institutions, enhancing their services and facilitating its access to the beneficiaries in addition to reducing costs, on the one hand and increasing productivity and improving products on the other hand. Therefore, it is worth noting the importance of signing this agreement, thus helping Lebanon to face challenges and return to the reforms´ path, considering its role at the service of the nation and citizens, mainly under the circumstances and challenges that the country encounters for several years. There is no doubt that Lebanon´s digital transformation will bring it back again to the Arab investment field, attracting investors and mega companies; the thing that helps transforming the country into a starting point to provide services to the Arab countries as well as to ensure additional job opportunities for the Lebanese and increase the gross domestic product; consequently, getting the country back on the track of recovery and prosperity. At the end, Salam highlighted the necessity to pursue working in this field till declaring Lebanon as a digital country like other Arab countries".
In his turn, Fadi Al Sayyah, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digi Web LLC said: "we are proud to support the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade in the digital transformation process that includes all techniques such as artificial intelligence and Blockchain. We look forward to work on cases that use Blockchain and artificial intelligence that benefit the Lebanese and facilitate the governmental services in a transparent and reliable manner".
Furthermore, Mrs. Randa Al Rifai, the President of the Lebanese Association for Digital Transformation (LADT) added: "training the governmental employees on Blockchain and artificial intelligence concepts is not just about sharpening skills those employees but also preparing them to access the third generation internet".
As to the event itself, Choueh Law Firm, represented by Attorney –at-Law Charbel Choueh, stated that "the conference will put Lebanon back on the right track to embrace the latest techniques of internet, to boost innovation and progress as well as to open doors to new investment opportunities in the region. A prospering third generation internet"
It is to note that techniques like Blockchain and artificial intelligence will motivate the young people and Lebanese institutions to shift toward third generation internet, which will ensure their presence at the forefront of the technological advance.
