The ceremony was attended by a wide diplomatic and economic presence, including the ambassadors of Egypt (Alaa Moussa), Italy (Fabrizio Marcelli), Germany (Kurt Georg Stöckl-Stillfried), and Jordan (Walid Al-Hadid), alongside Arab and foreign diplomatic delegations. Notably present was Saudi commercial attaché Zayed Al-Asmari, former Economy Minister and head of the Economic Bodies Mohammad Choucair, his deputy Nicolas Chammas, and other leading figures from Lebanon’s economic, banking, and business sectors.
Charles Arbid welcomed participants, stressing that Lebanon is gathering around ideas and dialogue despite regional uncertainty and economic challenges.
He said the conference, titled “Beirut One – Restored Confidence in Lebanon,” aims to revive trust in the country, arguing that confidence in Lebanon is ultimately confidence in the Lebanese people, regardless of crises or instability.
Arbid emphasized that the timing is critical: waiting for stability will only lead to stagnation, while action during uncertainty creates opportunity. He called for shifting from crisis management to opportunity creation, stressing that investment can itself contribute to stability.
He added that the conference connects economic discussion with practical action, aiming to rebuild trust between the state, investors, society, and the international community. He highlighted that reconstruction starts with trust, and that a functioning banking sector and financial reform are essential for investment and economic recovery.
He concluded by calling the conference a pivotal moment that moves Lebanon toward solution-building and a new economic phase.
Mohammad Choucair praised the organizers and described the conference as a key initiative in Lebanon’s new economic phase.
He stressed that Lebanon needs a modern investment strategy and that all stakeholders must act immediately rather than wait. He called investment the only path to sustainable development.
Choucair urged the creation of a new Lebanese investment identity, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships, privatization, and modern economic management models without political vetoes.
He expressed confidence that the conference marks the beginning of a better economic future based on real cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Amer Bsat officially launched “Beirut One,” thanking all contributors and partners.
He defined the conference as a high-level investment platform designed to signal that Lebanon has entered a new economic phase.
He explained its main message: Lebanon is not a crisis economy but a country of opportunity and investment potential. The goal is to change Lebanon’s narrative from decline to innovation and productivity.
He acknowledged concerns about timing but stressed that reforms have already begun, and it is never too early to plan for the future.
He identified the target audience as:
He added that the conference is not theoretical but practical, presenting investment programs under public-private partnerships worth over $7.5 billion, including infrastructure, production, and services.
He also detailed the structure of the conference:
