President Michel Aoun affirmed the essential role of the Public Procurement Authority in restoring the trust of donors and friendly nations, emphasizing that public procurement governance is a key component of the economic and financial recovery plan.
President Aoun urged the Head and members of the Authority to consider themselves the first line of defense for public funds, stating that their success is integral to Lebanon's institutional recovery and anti-corruption efforts.
This statement came during the swearing-in ceremony of the Public Procurement Authority's Head, Dr. Jean Allia, and members Omar Ahmed Al-Barraj, Mohammad Marwan Seif Al-Din, Rima Mahmoud Bizri, and Rana Sami Rizkallah, following their appointment by decree No. 3761 dated 27/8/2026.
The oath they took was: "I solemnly swear to perform my duties with honesty, independence, and devotion, to uphold the laws and regulations, and to maintain the confidentiality and dignity of my position."
President Aoun emphasized that the Authority is not merely a technical administrative body but a fundamental tool for guiding public spending and rebuilding trust in state institutions, both domestically and internationally.
President Aoun called for transparency and fair competition in all contracts and tenders, linking this to the combat against corruption, which has burdened Lebanon's economy. He highlighted that the oath taken is a moral and legal commitment to the state and people, not just an administrative step, and urged the swift implementation of clear and auditable monitoring mechanisms, digitalization to reduce human interference, and cooperation with other watchdog bodies.
Ministerial Visits: President Aoun met with Energy and Water Minister Joumach, who briefed him on discussions regarding electricity, oil, and gas with Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, and Cyprus. Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani discussed agricultural sector issues, including damage to southern lands from Israeli attacks and measures to support farmers.
The meeting covered exporting agricultural products like apples and grapes, which are seeing significant production increases this year. Saudi Arabia has reopened its market to Lebanese products, with daily exports increasing to about 2,000 tons.
Future Plans: Hani discussed enhancing agricultural export facilitation to Arab nations and the Lebanese wine sector's challenges due to market stagnation. They also covered integrated plans against forest pests using drones and plans for agricultural investment until 2035.
Budget Queries: When asked if the 2027 budget will address damages from Israeli aggressions, Hani confirmed minor additions for infrastructure development at land crossings and ports with plans for labs to expedite import and export.
Lebtech Conference: President Aoun welcomed delegates from the Lebtech 2026 Conference, highlighting its success and the new initiative, Lebtech Next, which aims to create job opportunities for Lebanese youth.
The President emphasized the significance of such forums in the tech sector and the establishment of a Ministry of Technology and AI, reinforcing Lebanon's digital advancement goals.
Bank Reform Law: President Aoun promulgated the Bank Reform Law to reorganize Lebanon's banking sector, passed by Parliament as Law No. 71 on September 10, amending Law No. 23 of August 14, 2025.
Foreign Relations: President Aoun expressed Lebanon's solidarity with Bahrain during a call with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, denouncing recent attacks. They discussed regional issues and ways to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on economic and political cooperation.