Saniora Calls for Reformative Approach to Economy after Polls
Prime Minister Fouad Saniora told a business gathering Thursday there was an urgent need for the next government to ensure the adoption of reforms to help rejuvenate the economy.
In the opening speech of the 17th Arab Economic Forum in Phoenicia in the presence of 600 Arab, regional and international businessmen, official figures and investors.
"There is a real need to revitalize Lebanon”s economic potentials through going back – following the elections – to ensure the adoption of necessary corrective policies," he said.
"Lebanon went nearly unscathed by the international financial crisis and succeeded in creating new job opportunities for the Lebanese," Saniora said.
"We will surely bank on Lebanon”s successes over the past years during the upcoming phase to be able to confront the challenges," he added.
He said he has proposed to Cabinet a work plan that outlines "pre-emptive measures against the possible ramifications of the international financial crisis."
As Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections, Saniora said there is an urgent need to "neutralize" the economic sector in case of "any possible impacts that political events might cause."
Addressing Arab governments, Saniora called for a collective economic effort in face of the international financial crisis which put and end to "five years of fast-paced economic growth in the Arab world."
Saniora said that recent inter-Arab rapprochements, under the auspices of Saudi King Abdullah, can only benefit the Arab world if leaders "surpassed their personal and political differences and translated their unity through economic cooperation."
For his part, MP Saad Hariri said he refuses to turn the elections into "a minor event as some politicians are trying to do."
"The upcoming polls are crucial because they will help us reconfirm democracy as the foundation of governance in Lebanon and the people as the basis of authorities and because the elections will define Lebanon”s economic course," he said.