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According to the Speaker’s office, Nabih Berri received Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and his delegation at the Second Presidency headquarters in Ain al-Tineh on Thursday, with talks centering on Lebanon’s situation, regional issues and opportunities to expand partnership and investment between the two countries. The gathering included Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, Economic Bodies president Mohammad Choucair, UAE Ambassador Fahad Salem Saeed Al Kaabi and Lebanese Ambassador to the UAE Tarek Mneimneh as well as Emirati investors attending the economic forum. Discussions highlighted the need to foster joint initiatives that could aid Lebanon’s economic recovery while reinforcing strategic ties.
This meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Lebanon-UAE Economic Forum, which drew an 80-strong UAE delegation led by Al Zeyoudi in what Lebanese and Emirati officials described as one of the largest such visits in years. The forum, held at Beirut’s Seaside Arena, resulted in the signing of multiple agreements including the formation of a Joint Business Council to promote private sector links. L’Orient Today reported that the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding signed later by Bisat and Al Zeyoudi marked the first direct state-level pact from the trip.
The memorandum aims to enhance trade and investment flows while serving the mutual interests of both nations, according to a Xinhua dispatch. Al Zeyoudi called the visit successful and pointed to potential collaboration in energy, technology and logistical services as priority areas for support. Bisat for his part stressed Lebanon’s capabilities and the role of reforms and private sector partnerships in achieving sustainable growth.
Bilateral non-oil trade between Lebanon and the UAE climbed to 4.2 billion dollars in 2025, a 35.6 percent increase over the previous year, WAM figures show. This uptick reflects renewed momentum in economic relations following President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Abu Dhabi last year that paved the way for closer coordination. The latest engagements seek to convert that momentum into concrete investments and projects.
The inaugural session of the Joint UAE-Lebanon Business Council convened after the forum to outline a work plan covering investment facilitation, sector-focused events and barrier reduction for trade. In a statement carried by WAM, Al Zeyoudi said the discussions showed strong commercial interest and readiness to form partnerships on both sides. He added that the new council and signed memoranda provide the necessary structure to identify opportunities and build confidence.
Al Zeyoudi further noted that Lebanon is embarking on a phase of economic renewal in which the UAE is prepared to act as a partner. “My discussions with President Aoun and Speaker Berri reflected a shared determination to deepen bilateral economic ties and create meaningful, long-term opportunities for our private sectors,” he said in remarks reported across multiple outlets. The minister emphasized formalizing business-to-business channels as the foundation for sustainable growth benefiting both economies.
This latest high-level interaction builds upon a series of steps taken over the past 18 months to revive economic relations that had faced challenges due to Lebanon’s multi-year crisis. Officials from both sides have pointed to ports, airports, digital systems and food security as among the promising fields for joint ventures. The developments come as Lebanon works to attract Arab capital to support reconstruction and job creation.
