NNA - Finance Minister, Yassine Jaber, and Economy Minister, Amer Bsat, on Friday met with EU Regional Director for the Middle East, Stefano Sannino, and a European delegation at the Ministry of Finance to explore avenues for bolstering cooperation. Talks reportedly focused on Lebanon’s reform agenda, amid efforts to implement the government’s rescue plan and navigate the ongoing crisis.

The EU delegation emphasized the urgency of reaching a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund, noting its pivotal role in unlocking donor aid and attracting foreign investment. They highlighted the importance of institutional reform, banking sector restructuring, and improved infrastructure, with prospective support from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Minister Jaber reaffirmed the government’s reform commitments, detailing steps taken by the Ministry of Finance to modernize operations and strengthen fiscal performance.

In a related development, Jaber chaired a virtual meeting with IMF officials and METAC experts to advance discussions on enhancing tax and customs revenue systems and modernizing IT infrastructure.

Separately, Jaber met French Embassy Economic Chief François Sporrer, who announced a French aid package and the dispatch of a financial advisor to assist with Lebanon’s 2024 budget. A French envoy, Jacques de Lajugie, is set to visit next week ahead of a planned international aid conference in Paris.

=====================R.H.