The Minister of Finance, Yassine Jaber, the Vice President of the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa, Ousmane Dione, and the Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret. (Credit: NNA.)
BEIRUT — Finance Minister Yassine Jaber received the Middle East and North African, World Bank Vice President, Ousmane Dione, and Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret in his office in Beirut on Monday, reports the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Jaber emphasized "the importance of shielding Lebanon from the repercussions of recent security developments in the region and the ongoing military escalation," noting that "efforts, both internal and international, must converge to spare the country from any negative consequences that could affect its economy, as the summer season appears promising since the beginning of the year."
Lebanon, plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis since 2019, is banking on a dynamic summer to attract tourists and expatriates, following several summer seasons hampered by the pandemic and then the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. But this prospect now faces a new regional situation: the military escalation between Israel and Iran.
The Lebanese minister also outlined the financial reforms and measures implemented by his ministry to strengthen financial and monetary stability. The discussions also covered increasing public revenues, modernizing the ministry's various departments' digital systems, and the planned use of a 150 million dollar loan aimed at automating several administrations and improving their electronic interconnection.
The two parties also discussed the progress of joint projects conducted between the Finance Ministry and the World Bank.