Engagement
Welcome to the British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC) Engagement Hub, where we bridge leadership, industry, and innovation to cultivate strong economic ties between the United Kingdom and Lebanon.
Through a dynamic series of high-level panels, bilateral networking dinners, official delegations, and strategic webinars, the BLCC provides a vital platform for policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to collaborate, exchange insights, and drive sustainable growth across key sectors.
Explore our recent events and initiatives below to see how we are shaping the future of UK-Lebanon commercial relations.
Strengthening Connections, Growing the BLCC Community
The British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce brought together its members, Board and founders, government representatives, British Embassy colleagues and friends of the Chamber for a special networking dinner generously hosted by Rajab Jubaili, Vice Chairman of the BLCC, at his residence in Beirut.
The evening was honoured by the presence of H.E. Joe Issa-El-Khoury, Minister of Industry; H.E. Adel Nassar, Minister of Justice; Mohamad-Ali Kabbani, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR); and Victoria Dunne, Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy Beirut, alongside Embassy colleagues and representatives from the Lebanese and British business communities.
The gathering provided an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships, build new connections and exchange ideas around the BLCC’s mission of supporting trade, investment and commercial cooperation between the United Kingdom and Lebanon. The BLCC also highlighted its continued growth and recent admission to the British Chambers of Commerce International Network, an important milestone that will provide members with access to wider international connections, trade opportunities, knowledge-sharing and additional business benefits.
The evening also reflected the strong partnership between the BLCC and the British Embassy Beirut, with the Embassy reaffirming its continued support for the Chamber and its mission to strengthen UK–Lebanon commercial ties.
The BLCC extends its sincere appreciation to Rajab Jubaili for his generous hospitality and continued commitment to the Chamber, and to all members, Board members, Embassy colleagues, government representatives and guests who joined us and contributed to an evening of meaningful conversations and valuable connections.
As the BLCC continues to grow, we remain committed to creating platforms that bring together business leaders, policymakers and partners, strengthen commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Lebanon, and turn relationships into meaningful opportunities for our growing community.
AI in Lebanon: Real Lessons, Real Impact
The British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC) successfully hosted its latest flagship event, “AI in Lebanon: Real Lessons, Real Impact,” bringing together business leaders, policymakers, technology experts and members of the BLCC network for a timely discussion on the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. The event was held in the presence and with the participation of H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, alongside an outstanding panel of industry experts, reflecting the growing importance of AI in shaping Lebanon’s economic future.
The event was opened by Farid Chedid, Chairman of the BLCC, who highlighted Lebanon’s potential to become a regional player in AI and digital innovation by leveraging its highly skilled human capital, entrepreneurial spirit and strong international connections. This was followed by remarks from Victoria Dunne, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Beirut, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting innovation, the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, and stronger UK–Lebanon collaboration.
The panel featured H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Jihad Bitar, CEO of Siren Analytics, Carole Alsharabati, Research Director at Siren Associates, and Rami Maalouf, Head of the AI Lab at Strategy&, in a discussion moderated by Yasmine El Hajj, CEO of the BLCC. Together, they explored the practical adoption of AI across industries, real-world business applications, return on investment, public-private partnerships, Lebanon’s potential as a regional technology and outsourcing hub, and the country’s role in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
The event attracted an exceptional turnout and generated lively discussion among attendees, reflecting the growing interest of Lebanon’s business community in harnessing AI to enhance competitiveness, productivity and sustainable economic growth.
The BLCC was honoured by the presence and continued support of Board Members Emile Chaoui, Ziad Kanaan, Mustapha Madi, Joumana Saadi Chaaya and Nadim Abboud, whose engagement reflects the Chamber’s commitment to fostering dialogue and strengthening UK–Lebanon business relations. The Chamber also extends its sincere appreciation to Hani Sheet, BLCC Board Member, for generously hosting the event at VOCO Hotel Beirut Central District, contributing to its outstanding success.
As part of its mission, the BLCC remains committed to creating platforms that connect business leaders, policymakers and innovators, strengthening commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Lebanon while fostering the exchange of ideas, partnerships and opportunities that drive innovation, investment and sustainable economic growth.
The Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to all speakers, participants, members and partners whose contribution made the event a resounding success and looks forward to continuing the conversation through future events and initiatives.
Gathering SBBC - BLCC
The British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC) was delighted to host the delegation of the Syria Britain Business Council (SBBC), led by its Chairman Mounzer Nazha, at a dinner hosted by our Chairman, Farid Chedid, in the presence of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell CMG, Honorary President of the BLCC. The evening brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, and leaders from Lebanon’s business community to strengthen dialogue and explore opportunities for greater regional cooperation.
The gathering reflected our shared commitment to fostering closer economic cooperation, encouraging private sector engagement, and exploring opportunities that will contribute to the prosperity of both Lebanon and Syria, while strengthening commercial ties with the United Kingdom.
We were honoured by the presence of:
* H.E. Amer Bisat, Minister of Economy and Trade
* H.E. Yassine Jaber, Minister of Finance
* H.E Joe Issa-El-Khoury, Minister of Industry
* H.E. Kamal Shehadi, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence
* H.E. Fadi Makki, Minister of State for Administrative Reform
* Neemat Frem, Member of Parliament
* Mohamad-Ali Kabbani Kabbani, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction
* Selim Zeenny, President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists and Chairman of the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce
* Jon Wilks CMG, Senior Adviser, Syria Britain Business Council
* Christophe Michels, Syria Britain Business Council
* Barrie Peach, Head of the Syria Office, British Embassy Beirut
* Victoria Dunne, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Beirut
* Olivia Campbell, Political Counsellor, British Embassy Beirut
The BLCC was proudly represented by its founders and leadership, including Hani Sheet, Ziad Kanaan, Nadim Tewtel, Yasmine El Hajj and Diala Michlawi.
As Lebanon and Syria look towards renewed economic opportunities, the BLCC and SBBC remain committed to strengthening dialogue, promoting trade and investment, and building meaningful partnerships that benefit businesses across both markets.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for an evening of constructive discussions, valuable networking, and a shared vision for regional cooperation.
BLCC Launch
The British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC) was officially launched on 27 January 2026 during a reception hosted by British Ambassador Hamish Cowell in Beirut.
Supported by the British Embassy, the BLCC aims to strengthen trade and investment ties between the United Kingdom and Lebanon, facilitate business partnerships, and provide a platform for collaboration between both business communities.
The launch was attended by Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bisat, alongside Lebanese business leaders, entrepreneurs, and prospective members of the Chamber.
Webinars
Lebanon in a Transforming Middle East: Navigating a new regional landscape
Tuesday 16 June 2026 17:30-18:30 Beirut Time
The British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC), in collaboration with the British Embassy Beirut, invites you to join an insightful discussion on:
Lebanon in a Transforming Middle East: Navigating a New Regional Landscape
Speakers:
- Professor Lina Khatib – Geopolitical Advisor
- Olivia Campbell – Political & Economic Counsellor, British Embassy Beirut
This webinar will explore the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and their implications for Lebanon’s political and economic landscape.
Thursday 16 April, 11.00 – 12.00 GMT (13.00 - 14.00 Beirut time)
We are hosting another webinar run by the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, a new joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British Chambers of Commerce to provide businesses with geopolitical and diplomatic insight.
This webinar is aimed at firms who export or who are looking to export to the Middle East and will focus on business continuity (supply chains, shipping and business continuity planning).
We have an exciting line-up of speakers from the diplomatic and business community (including Goyder, Maersk Line, Limited and KPMG), hosted by the Hub’s Director Richard Oppenheim and Deputy Director Gail B. Braybrook.
Tuesday 17 March, 12.00 - 13.00 GMT
The British Chambers of Commerce will be hosting another webinar run by the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, a new joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Chambers of Commerce to provide UK businesses (particularly SMEs) with geopolitical and diplomatic insight.
This webinar is aimed at UK firms who export or who are looking to export to the Middle East.
Speakers will include, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall, the Department for Business and Trade’s Director of Business Intelligence and Engagement and the Joint Head of the UK Government’s International Energy Unit.