The Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has launched new electronic services for the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Economy and Trade. This project is part of the "National Strategy for Digital Transformation towards Electronic Government," supported by the "United Nations Development Program" and the "Lebanese Fund for Revival," in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The ceremony included participation from Ministers of Economy and Trade Amin Salam, Justice Henry Khoury, State Minister for Administrative Development Affairs Najla Riachi, and MPs: Fares Boustan, Elias Hankash, and Razi Hajj, as well as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Mohamed Saleh, President of the Economic Bodies Mohammad Choukair, General Director of the Ministry of Economy Dr. Mohammad Abou Haidar, General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture Louis Lahoud, Head of the Civil Service Nasrin Mshmoushi, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makki, and a host of economic figures.
Mikati stated: "The digital transformation initiative has occupied the priorities of our government, as it forms a cornerstone in the path of progress and is organically linked to the reform and recovery plan. It also aligns with the strategy to combat corruption currently being implemented systematically and gradually." He added, "The step we are taking today is based on the complete mechanization of services in the Consumer Protection Directorate, which is one of the largest directorates in the Ministry of Economy offering nineteen services to companies, institutions, and consumers."
He continued, "Amid the diverse challenges our wounded country faces politically, security-wise, economically, and socially, we cling more than ever to the reform prerequisites. Adopting the digital transformation strategy represents a passport to a different kind of economic growth and contributes to restoring the vital veins of public administration and various sectors." He added, "We must quickly catch up with the digital age, as any further delay in this path would be a regression from our reform directions and our plans aimed at reviving Lebanon and restoring trust. We consider this step strategic and sustainable in its long-term effects, establishing a connection with the Fourth Industrial Revolution while reflecting the centrality of information technology in the core public policies of countries and governments."
He asserted, "Overcoming the accumulated crises requires supporting and modernizing public administration. We are at the beginning of a long road that necessitates revitalizing different components and sectors of the state, to collectively achieve an effective and efficient digital economy and a comprehensive and constructive digital society. What we seek to support public sector employees, according to the available resources, is a fundamental step to maintain the state’s structure and its institutions and the employees within it, who do the impossible and work earnestly and diligently."
### Minister of Economy
Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, mentioned in his speech that regarding the national recovery and economic development strategy, the digital transformation in the Ministry of Economy is a central and essential transformation of immense importance, not only within the framework of combating corruption, which is a major affliction facing the Lebanese administration, state, and private sector. He continued, "Lebanon has lagged in implementing digital transformation; it is neither acceptable nor permissible for a country that prides itself on its human capabilities, engineers, technicians, and professionals in the technological sector—long a leader in this sector in the Middle East—to be today the last to succeed in the digital transformation process, especially since we have all these capabilities that we used to export and they study in our most prestigious universities. However, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
He added, "Consumer protection serves as the first gateway for traders, institutions, and companies, in addition to consumers, to benefit from services that save them time and the ordeal they endured with management, especially at a time when we witness a decline in the number of employees due to economic conditions. This initiative will serve as an important lever to support all economic activity, including supporting institutions and companies, and will be a partner with the Lebanese judiciary in combating corruption through the mechanization of transactions and complaints that will be submitted from the Consumer Protection Directorate to the relevant authorities and judiciary in a detailed and clear manner, which assists in administrative integration."
### Director General of Economy
Dr. Mohammad Abou Haidar, General Director of the Ministry of Economy, stated in his speech: "The significance of this achievement lies in its ability to digitize basic government services and facilitate the work of companies and institutions in obtaining licenses and services in a continuous process that aligns with the vision I have strived to achieve since entering public administration over the past two years, aiming to enhance the business environment and elevate reform processes, which are vital for Lebanon to transition to the level we aspire to achieve in terms of transparency, governance, the right to access information, and providing public services."
He said, "These new services are expected to contribute to reducing corruption and provide an advanced pilot model that opens doors for automating other state directorates, ministries, and institutions."
### UNDP
The UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Mohamed Saleh stated: "Today, digitization has become a pivotal focus in the visions of both previous and current governments; in 2022, the Cabinet approved the National Digital Transformation Strategy, which represents a new opportunity for Lebanon towards achieving sustainable development." He stated, "The UNDP participated in the process that led to the final formulation of the strategy, and since then, has become a partner with the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs (OMSAR) in implementing the strategy and providing the necessary support under the memorandum of understanding. Accordingly, with the UNDP’s long-term commitment to reform, we initiated the project with the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The mechanization of the Consumer Protection Directorate will include new ways of doing business that exceed administrative reform through the use of modern digital technologies that provide services to citizens more rapidly."
He added, "According to the World Bank, Lebanon currently ranks 142nd globally in terms of doing business, so ensuring sustainable growth and improving the business environment means leveraging digital technologies across all sectors of the economy. Through the experience of the mechanization project in one of the ministries, we hope to pave the way for digitizing other essential services that are significant for businesses, thereby re-establishing Lebanon on the map of major investment destinations."
### Younes
Director of Consumer Protection, Tarek Younes, delivered a speech in which he explained the operation of the platform and the mechanization of the work of the Consumer Protection Directorate, along with the outputs of mechanization including a website, a mobile application, and screens for inspectors and market monitors. Following that, a report was presented highlighting how citizens can file complaints on the digital platform.
