VP attends WGS’s plenary session hosting Lebanese PM

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended a plenary session hosting Lebanese Prime Minister HE Saad Hariri. The session is part of the 7th World Government Summit.
 

The session was also attended by President of Mauritania HE Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Dubai Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ajman Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al Zayani, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and chairman of the Emirates Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future HE Mohammed Al Gergawi.

Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri has a very optimistic view of his country's future. After nine months of being in a deadlock, the Lebanese government was formed a month ago and is now set to overcome its economic crisis and tackle its endemic corruption issues.

Deeply inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai's book, Hariri said, "Sheikh Mohammed wrote in his book 'My Story - 50 stories of 50 years' that when he travelled to Lebanon, he was amazed and wanted to make Dubai like Lebanon. Now since I am in Dubai, I must say, I want Lebanon to become like Dubai."
He said, "We want to invest in the young men and women of Lebanon. and the region." He has also promised to relieve Lebanon of its chronic issues with a shortage of electricity and other utilities. He also said leaders in the region must get used to women taking up leading roles in their countries. Lebanese politician Raya Al Hassan made history on February 1, when she became the first female interior minister in the Arab world.

Hariri said the World Government Session is crucial for the youth in the region and called on young people from around the world to work together to achieve a better economic future in the region and the world. Speaking about the political climate in Lebanon, Hariri said reforms were being launched to encourage Arab investors to invest in Lebanon.

Emphasizing on the importance of empowering the youth in Lebanon, Hariri said, "If you look at our demographic fabric, approximately 45 per cent is below the age of 30. Here, we are talking about youth. A total of 51 per cent are male, and 49 per cent female. There is 20 per cent unemployment and a majority of females are suffering unemployment."

He said various political factions in the Lebanese Republic have kept their differences aside and are now working together to help Lebanon move towards economic growth and away from rampant corruption. "This is the only way to save the Lebanese economy from collapse," said Hariri to the public. The country now aims at developing infrastructure.

The premier wants to bolster the country's economy and develop a lawful partnership between the public and private sectors. He said that the new investors in Lebanon want political stability and security.