Riyadh: Industry Minister Joe Issa El-Khoury participated this morning in the opening of the 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in the presence of representatives of 173 member states of the organization, in addition to international observers and representatives of the private sector.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the conference opened with the Saudi national anthem, followed by a short film presentation on the development of the industrial economy and investments in infrastructure and industrial projects in the Kingdom. Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, was elected as president of the 21st session, and Director-General Gerd Mller was also re-elected.
Minister Issa El-Khoury is expected to deliver Lebanon's address at the conference tomorrow. Meanwhile, he conferred with Moroccan Minister of Industry Ryad Mezour, agreeing on the importance of reciprocal visits involving businessmen and industrialists to explore opportunities in both countries.
Issa El-Khoury also held talks with the Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Obaikan, in the presence of the President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Salim Zaa'ni. Discussions touched on opportunities to enhance cooperation between the business sectors of both countries.
The Industry Minister also met with other heads of delegations and UNIDO officials from the Arab Bureau, as well as regional representatives of the organization and ambassadors of European countries accredited in Beirut, who expressed their available resources to assist Lebanon.