When the process of the Lebanese reconstruction started at the beginning of the nineties, a major effort was initiated and propagated in full swing in the country. This effort aimed at rebuilding the country's infrastructure to bring back the dynamic potential of Lebanon and its traditional involvement in the economic and cultural life of the region.

   The translation of the restored civilian peace was a construction fever that touched upon all sectors of activities, from physical to urban to social infrastructure. The challenge then, was to revive the world's confidence in Lebanon and lead the country resolutely into the twenty first century. Lebanon was to re-conquer its reputation as the land of prosperous civilization, being the crossroad and focal point of trade routes over the centuries and thus an alluring target for regional and international powers.

    In this context, and in the last ten years major efforts were made with regard to many Sectors, including but not limited to:

    The Transport Sector: major achievements include the airport and the upgrading of the planes fleet (Lebanese International Airport), ports, the construction of a new grid of roads and highways. Public transport was also being modernized, through the introduction of a new fleet of public buses on local and inter-city routes, with provisions for future transport terminals. Concerning the Telecommunication Sector, a digital telecommunications network was introduced across Lebanon; as well as complete coverage cellular networks. As to the Water and Waste Water, and Solid Waste Sectors: the works achieved include the complete overhaul and expansion of infrastructure, including water supply, sewage water and storm water drainage control and solid waste management.

    In the domain of Education, the scholar, university and technical education infrastructure has been renovated and reorganized through the regrouping of the Lebanese University into a single multidisciplinary campus for Beirut (Lebanese University Campus in Hadath, and now a campus under study in Tripoli) with thirteen faculty buildings and its support facilities, a group of technical schools and finally the rehabilitation of public schools all through Lebanon. Relating to the Health Sector, efforts consist in the construction up-to-date and efficient public grid of hospitals, starting by "Beirut Hospital" in Bir Hassan.

    Additionally, a major issue is the revival and urban development of the Beirut Central District. While safeguarding its architectural and archeological assets, the BCD regained gradually its pre-war status as the hub of commercial and service (banking especially) facilities not only in Lebanon but also in the Middle East.

    The Sports Field was not overlooked since the rehabilitation of the sports facilities and related infrastructure has been one of the major concerns, in view of hosting international sporting events as the Pan Arab Games (1998), The Asian Football Cup 2000 (2002) ..: Major achievements have been reconstruction of the Beirut Sports City, construction of Saida Municipal Stadium. Also many national stadiums were upgraded, to be brought in line with international standards (Beirut Municipal Stadium, Aley Municipal Stadium..). It's noteworthy to mention here that Lebanon was also nominated by the international community to host historic political and cultural events on the Arab and International scales: The Arab Summit (March 2002, twenty two Arab countries), "Le Sommet de la Francophonie"(October 2002, fifty-five countries) and others…In order to meet the challenges of organizing events of this magnitude and be ready to ensure excellence in its provisions, Lebanon mobilized its energy and resources. That leads us to the Hotels Sector that has also been entirely overhauled, with the major international chains represented in Lebanon (renovation of the Phoenicia Intercontinental, erection of the Metropolitan hotel...) and an extensive network of local hotels present in all the major cities. In this instance, the major event expected is the construction of the Beirut Culture and Conference Center, which includes hotels that can accommodate some 2000 rooms.

    In the light of the above, not only Lebanon has done a remarkable reconstruction effort in a quite short period with the limited resources available but it has also gained a valuable experience; experience that it is ready to share in the regional and international markets

    In conclusion, Lebanon has demonstrated through the last ten years its potentials through sustained efforts and has materialized its determination and commitment to development and progress, reclaiming its active contribution and pioneering role in the area. It is today well prepared and ready to move on further and further in the development process, inviting all interested investors to be a part of this challenging experience.

Salim Diab
C.E.O.  LACECO

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