Summary

Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Sidon and South Lebanon and the Hariri Foundation for cooperation in the field of youth empowerment to develop the labor market and support enterprises in the field of sustainable economy.

Description

Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon and the Hariri Foundation
For cooperation in the field of youth empowerment to develop the labor market and support enterprises in the field of sustainable economy

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon, represented by its President Mr. Mohammad Hassan Saleh, and the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, represented by its President Mrs. Bahia Hariri, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for partnership and cooperation in empowering youth with technical skills that contribute to the development of the labor market and industry, and in supporting small and medium enterprises, particularly in the field of sustainable economy.

The memorandum outlined the steps aimed at translating this cooperation between the Chamber and the Foundation into action, including:
“Conducting a scientific review of local economic needs through comprehensive and joint studies, holding periodic meetings between both parties to determine priorities, and implementing separate legal instruments to develop and execute subsequent projects and programs.”

It also identified the initial areas of cooperation as follows: education and digital transformation, vocational and technical education and training, sustainable economy sectors, digitization and industrial innovation, local economic growth, youth empowerment, and incubation of startups and small and medium enterprises.

Attendance

The signing ceremony was attended by:
MP Dr. Osama Saad, representative of MP Dr. Abdel Rahman Bizri, Mr. Kamel Shreiteh, Deputy Head of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Group Dr. Bassam Hammoud, Political Bureau member of the Future Movement Dr. Nasser Hammoud, former Mayor of Sidon Eng. Mohammad Saudi, representative of the Mayor of Sidon Eng. Mustafa Hijazi, Municipal Council member Ms. Angie Atrouni, President of the Sidon and Suburbs Traders Association Mr. Ali Al-Sharif, Vice President of the Chamber Eng. Omar Dandachli, and Chamber Board Members Mr. Samir Al-Qutb, Mr. Tony Rizk, and Mr. Haitham Jouaydi, along with the Chamber’s Development Advisor Ms. Rana Al-Sayyed, President of the Union of Workers and Employees Syndicates in South Lebanon Mr. Abdel Latif Al-Taryaqi, Secretary of the Gathering of NGOs in Sidon and its Neighborhood Mr. Majed Hamtou, Chairmen of the Boards of Sidon Governmental Hospital Dr. Ahmad Al-Sammadi and Turkish Governmental Hospital Mrs. Mona Taryaqi, representative of the President of the Maqassed Islamic Philanthropic Association in Sidon Mr. Mohammad Fayez Bizri and Administrative Council Member Mr. Huthaifa Al-Mallah, Advisor to Mrs. Hariri for Sidon and its Neighborhood Mr. Amin Hariri, Executive Director of the Hariri Foundation Dr. Roueina Abu Zainab, Principal of Rafik Hariri High School Mrs. Nadine Zeidan, Principal of Haj Bahaa Eddine Hariri High School Dr. Osama Arnaout, and Advisor to the Hariri Foundation for Vocational and Technical Education Dr. Adham Qabarsly.

Saleh

The ceremony began with a welcoming speech by the President of the Chamber, Mr. Mohammad Hassan Saleh, who stated:
“Our gathering today to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Hariri Foundation is a sign of vitality and an affirmation of the importance of education and training in economic and human development. Based on this cooperation agreement, specialized vocational and technical education and training programs will be organized for youth in a world where change has become rapid, and where knowledge and acquired skills need continuous development. May God grant us success in our next steps to create job opportunities, enhance productive capacities, and support entrepreneurs and startups in Sidon and the South.”

Hariri

The President of the Hariri Foundation, Mrs. Bahia Hariri, expressed her pride in renewing the cooperation between the Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon.
She highlighted the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding, saying:
“This partnership reconnects education and research with the labor market and places the public interest above institutional fragmentation.”

Mrs. Hariri outlined the areas of joint work included in the memorandum, noting that it complements the goals of the Urban Observatory within the Hariri Foundation, which aims to produce regular indicators for public accountability and to align with the Foundation’s educational, health, and environmental networks to bridge skills gaps and link training with market demand.

She stressed the need to establish a joint steering committee (composed of the Chamber, municipalities, universities, and partners) with a roadmap linked to existing programs and budgets, and to integrate cooperation pathways with Sidon’s roadmap toward a sustainable city (circular economy).
She also emphasized the importance of creating operational partnerships with the private sector and financial institutions to mobilize resources (blended financing / soft loans / small investment accelerators).

Mrs. Hariri concluded by thanking the Chamber and Mr. Saleh for their hospitality and commitment to cooperation.

Afterward, Mr. Saleh and Mrs. Hariri signed the Memorandum of Understanding, followed by a reception held on this occasion.