The Lebanese-Syrian Investment Forum 2026 was concluded this evening at the Phenicia Hotel - Beirut, which was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, and witnessed broad ministerial, official and economic participation from Lebanon and Syria, in addition to a remarkable presence of businessmen, investors, heads of economic and investment bodies, experts and representatives of the private sector from the two countries. The full-day forum formed a direct space for dialogue regarding the future of economic and investment relations between Lebanon and Syria, in light of the transformations taking place in the region and the need to move economic relations between the two countries towards more organized and balanced frameworks, based on common interests and expanding the role of the private sector and productive investment. The forum was opened with speeches by the initiator of the forum initiative, Ahmed Hashemia, the Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry, Muhammad Nidal Al-Shaar, and the Chargé d'Affairs at the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon, Iyad Al-Hazza, in addition to a speech by President Aoun, which was delivered by his representative, the Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat. The opening words emphasized the necessity of moving from geographical proximity to economic partnerships based on institutions, implementation, and mutual interests. The forum's activities were divided into four main sessions that dealt with the position of Lebanon and Syria in the new economic map of the Middle East. Financing the future economy, investment and capital, and restoring confidence; reconstruction and sustainable development; In addition to the role of Lebanon and Syria as a gateway to regional markets through transportation, ports, investment, and confronting challenges. Ministers, officials, heads of investment and economic bodies participated in the sessions, as well as representatives of the banking and legal sectors, businessmen and experts. The interventions discussed a group of practical files related to the investment environment, capital movement, reconstruction, tourism, health, agriculture, transportation and ports, technology, and the role of institutions and the private sector in developing economic relations between the two countries. The forum also provided a wide scope for direct communication between businessmen, investors, and Lebanese and Syrian officials, and the exchange of visions regarding the available opportunities and challenges facing the investment and trade movement, thus enhancing the primary goal of the forum to be a practical space for building relationships and partnerships, and not just a platform for economic discussion. Press conference In a prominent milestone at the conclusion of the forum’s work, the participating Syrian ministers held a press conference during which they discussed their participation in the forum and the economic and sectoral files that were discussed during the visit and meetings held by the Syrian delegation in Beirut. The press conference gained special importance in light of the level of the participating Syrian delegation, which included the ministers of economy, industry, tourism, health, agriculture, and transportation, in addition to Syrian economic and investment officials. The delegation's visit to Lebanon also included official talks and meetings that dealt with joint economic, service and investment files. The conference allowed the Syrian ministers to present their vision for the next stage and directly answer questions from journalists and media professionals in the areas of cooperation between the two countries and the opportunities available in the sectors they represent, thus forming a media, political and economic conclusion to the work of a day full of Lebanese-Syrian discussions and meetings. Continuous path At the conclusion of the forum, the organizing committee stressed that the importance of this meeting is not limited to the volume of participation or discussions it witnessed, but rather lies in what can be built upon after the end of its work, through continued communication between the concerned authorities, investors and the private sector, and working to transform the ideas and opportunities that were presented into implementable initiatives and partnerships. The Lebanese-Syrian Investment Forum 2026 concludes its session on the basis that what happened in Beirut will be the beginning of a path of communication and joint economic action, and that the discussions and meetings witnessed by the forum will move to practical steps that enhance investment and economic exchange and open the way for sustainable partnerships that serve the interests of the two countries.