Lebanese Republic 
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day
Salam honoring Hamza: all my potentials are at the disposal of the youth generation
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Salam honoring Hamza: all my potentials are at the disposal of the youth generation
Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, welcomed in his office at the Ministry the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headed by The Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, accompanied with the Lebanese young lady May Hamza, winner of the “Ambassador for a day” competition organized by the British Embassy in Lebanon.
During the meeting, Minister Salam, chosen to honor the young lady for a being a young Minister who overcame the same challenges encountered by the Lebanese youth, listened carefully to the concerns of the student Hamza as well as to her solutions suggested for the difficulties that hinder their generation’ way.
In this regard, Minister Salam extended his thanks to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the British Embassy in Lebanon and the diplomatic corps for choosing him to honor an outstanding young lady who won the competition among 500 contestants, stating: we are proud of the presence of Miss May Hamza among us today for she is an outstanding young lady from Tripoli and we discussed with her the concerns of the Lebanese young generation, namely the Lebanese woman during this difficult period that the country is going through; and especially under the fear for the near and distant future lived by the youth. Salam added: as State officials, we are responsible to reassure the youth and give rise to hope in Lebanon of tomorrow for they are our hope despite all difficulties and challenges.
In addition, Minister Salam addressed his speech to all young ladies who have shown great merit in all activities, saying: under these difficult circumstances, we assure to our young people that we will never give up, we returned to this country for the sake of his youth; we will always stand by their side; we are one of them and together we will rebuild our beautiful Lebanon.
Furthermore, he added: I listened to what May said in term of the tragedy that the citizens of Tripoli are witnessing, in particular the students. This is very sad and in my position as a Minister, I am the official that feels the closest their economic and living pain. I strive daily to mitigate this crisis that both the country and the people suffer from. We also discussed of the academic year whereof nearly three months were lost. To my turn, I revealed to May the efforts exerted by the Government, mainly by the Minister of Education and promised her to pursue exerting all efforts in order to save the academic year. However, it is necessary to provide a sense of patriotism and a sacrifice from all sectors of society for the students will pay for it in vase we did not make it to save their academic year.
To this end, Minister Salam indicated that the Ministry of Economy has decided seven months ago to make a work plan in coordination with the ESCWA for the purpose of revitalizing the Lebanese economy on both the short and long terms. In short, it is a very simplified plan based on three sectors, to be launched and implemented in which the youth will have an active participation; especially that this plan will provide answers for their concerns about their future and the choice of their specialization because the student searches nowadays for the specialization through which he can find a job; while it is the responsibility of the State to provide their youth with guidance and direction for they are the ones who will build the Lebanon of tomorrow.
He added: I speak from a personal experience because I have experienced, as a young Lebanese, the immigration in order to pursue my dreams, For this reason and acting as the Minister of Economy and Trade, I consider myself responsible to communicate with May, in particular; and all the youth in general to meet the young potentials and help them in all sectors, mainly those related to informatics and technology for providing significant job opportunities. I can also help them, if possible, by communicating with competent international companies whether inside Lebanon or abroad to cooperate together, whether as Minister or not, in order to prevent the youth’ immigration.
Hamza:
To her turn, May Hamza stated: I had the honor to meet the Minister of Economy who represent us and give rise of hope for tomorrow. I introduced to him the concerns that the youth suffer from, mainly where I live in Tripoli city. I also presented the youth’ difficulties to the Minister and took into consideration the advices about how the youth may recover from this crisis. I also shed light on the youth situation for they are the future’ leaders and stressed on education, unemployment and health issues where people cannot afford medication in addition to the education problem due to the ongoing teachers’ strike. As result, schools are closed for almost three months; the thing that has a seriously negative impact on us; in addition to the unemployment issue whereof youth encounter huge difficulties in finding job opportunities.
