Beirut – Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that Lebanon was in the process of launching a comprehensive economic plan that would seek to promote production sectors.

Aoun was speaking during his meeting at the Baabda Palace on Thursday with a delegation from the World Bank, headed by the new Regional Director, Saroj Kumar Jha.

The Lebanese president underlined the support provided by the World Bank to Lebanon, which he described as an evidence of confidence in the measures undertaken by the Lebanese state to promote its economy.

“Providing assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a priority nowadays, as a key step to increase economic capacities in the country,” he stated.

The president thanked the World Bank for its considerable input in Lebanon’s developmental projects, noting that contribution included hydro-electric projects, dams, roads, cleaning river drains, as well as establishing prisons and educational compounds.

Kumar Jha, for his part, stressed the World Bank’s commitment to its continual assistance to Lebanon and its willingness to promote excellent partnerships with the Middle-Eastern country.

“The World Bank shall continue to coordinate with the Lebanese team to this end,” he stated.

He added that granting support to SMEs would be at the core of the work of the World Bank to improve and develop the conditions of such companies.

The Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee MP Ibrahim Kenaan, President’s Advisor for International Cooperation, Former Minister Elias Bou Saab, and Kumar Jha’s accompanying delegation attended the meeting.