Beirut: Participants in the 2025 Arab Banking Conference in Beirut stressed on Friday the vital role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in driving development across the Arab region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Secretary General of the Kuwait Banking Association Dr. Yaqoub Al-Rifai emphasized that the conference addressed key regional challenges, particularly reconstruction efforts that can unlock growth and investment opportunities. He pointed out that enhancing investment requirements and improving business infrastructure will encourage greater involvement from the private sector, especially the banking sector.
Al-Rifai highlighted the strategic role of Arab banks in financing economic and productive sectors and in mobilizing resources for reconstruction when appropriate investment conditions are met. He added that the conference underscored PPPs as essential for sustainable development, combining state oversight with private-sector execution to improve project success rates. He cited Kuwait's experience, where private-sector engagement drives economic activity and creates broader opportunities for youth.
Former Lebanese Information Minister and senior financial policy adviser Dr. Manal Abdel-Samad remarked that PPPs are now crucial for sustainable development, blending private-sector innovation with government regulatory capacity. She noted that while PPP models vary by country, their value lies in generating sustainable, privately managed projects. She also emphasized the role of financial institutions in supporting productive, innovative, and sustainable ventures.
Former Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Alain Hakim expressed that global business trends increasingly depend on the private sector to support public institutions, especially in countries like Lebanon facing significant administrative challenges. He stressed the importance of strengthening PPP frameworks to enhance the investment climate and broaden their scope beyond major projects to include smaller initiatives such as renewable energy and maintenance services.
The Arab Banking Conference 2025, organized by the Union of Arab Banks, concluded Friday. It was held in cooperation with the International Union of Arab Bankers and included the 49th General Assembly meeting of the Union. A delegation led by Union Chairman Mohamed Mahmoud Eletreby also met Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, noting strong participation and broad Arab support for Lebanon, particularly in discussions on reconstruction and reinforcing joint Arab action.