UAE, Lebanon Sign Agreement to Establish Joint Business Council

The UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council has been established to strengthen economic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon and create new opportunities for businesses, investors and private-sector organisations in both countries.

The agreement to establish the council was signed by the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon (FCCIAL) during the UAE-Lebanon Business Forum held in Beirut on August 31, 2026.

The new council is expected to provide a structured institutional platform through which companies from the UAE and Lebanon can exchange market information, explore commercial opportunities and develop partnerships. It will also support businesses seeking to establish joint ventures and expand their presence in either market.

The initiative comes as the two countries seek to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations and encourage greater private-sector participation in their economic cooperation.

UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council to connect businesses

The UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council will serve as a platform for businesses from both countries to communicate more effectively and identify areas of mutual interest.

One of its key functions will be to facilitate the exchange of market information. Access to reliable information about market conditions, investment opportunities and business environments can help companies assess potential expansion opportunities and make more informed commercial decisions.

The council will also focus on identifying trade and investment opportunities between the UAE and Lebanon. By bringing together representatives from the business communities of both countries, it can help companies explore potential areas for cooperation and establish new commercial relationships.

Partnerships and joint ventures are another important area of focus. The council is intended to encourage businesses to work together on projects and initiatives that can contribute to economic growth and strengthen private-sector links between the two countries.

Agreement signed during UAE-Lebanon Business Forum

The agreement establishing the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council was signed during the UAE-Lebanon Business Forum in Beirut.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Vice Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), signed the agreement on behalf of the UAE side.

Mohamed Choucair, Chairman of the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon, signed on behalf of the Lebanese side.

The signing represents an effort to provide businesses in the UAE and Lebanon with a more institutionalised mechanism for strengthening economic relations.

The business forum brought together government representatives and members of the business community from both countries. Discussions focused on bilateral trade and investment, market access and opportunities for increased cooperation between private-sector organisations.

Focus on bilateral trade and investment

Trade and investment were among the central themes discussed during the forum. Improving market access and creating stronger links between businesses can provide companies with additional opportunities to enter new markets, establish partnerships and expand their operations.

The establishment of the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council provides a dedicated framework for continuing these discussions beyond the business forum.

For UAE companies, the council can provide an avenue to explore opportunities in Lebanon and connect with Lebanese businesses and organisations. Similarly, Lebanese companies can use the platform to develop relationships with UAE-based businesses and explore opportunities in the UAE market.

The council’s role in exchanging market information could also help businesses better understand potential opportunities and challenges associated with operating across the two markets.

Four additional memoranda signed

The UAE-Lebanon Business Forum also witnessed the signing of four additional memoranda of understanding covering several economic areas.

The agreements add to the broader economic cooperation agenda discussed during the forum and reflect efforts to expand collaboration between the UAE and Lebanon across different areas of the economy.

Together with the establishment of the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council, the additional memoranda demonstrate an emphasis on strengthening institutional and private-sector links between the two countries.

Such agreements can provide businesses and organisations with additional channels through which they can explore cooperation and develop projects of mutual interest.

UAE delegation participates in Beirut forum

A UAE delegation attended the business forum in Beirut as part of the discussions on strengthening economic cooperation with Lebanon.

The delegation included Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; and Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI.

The participation of representatives from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlights the role of chambers of commerce in facilitating connections between businesses and supporting cross-border economic cooperation.

The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and its counterparts in Lebanon are expected to play an important role in supporting the activities of the new business council and facilitating engagement between companies.

New platform for private-sector cooperation

The creation of the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council is designed to give the private sector a more organised platform for cooperation.

Business councils can help companies move beyond individual commercial contacts by creating opportunities for regular dialogue, information exchange and networking. For businesses exploring international expansion, these connections can be particularly valuable when assessing new markets and potential local partners.

The council will focus on identifying opportunities that can support trade and investment while encouraging companies from both countries to explore partnerships and joint ventures.

Its institutional structure could also help maintain regular communication between the business communities of the UAE and Lebanon and support discussions on issues affecting market access and commercial cooperation.

Strengthening UAE-Lebanon economic relations

The UAE and Lebanon have maintained economic and commercial connections across a range of sectors, while businesses in both countries continue to look for opportunities to expand cooperation.

The establishment of the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council provides a new framework for supporting these relationships and encouraging additional private-sector engagement.

By facilitating the exchange of market information, the identification of investment and trade opportunities and the development of partnerships, the council is expected to support closer interaction between companies and investors.

The initiative also creates a platform through which business representatives can discuss areas of mutual interest and explore opportunities for future cooperation.

What the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council means for businesses

For companies in the UAE and Lebanon, the new council could provide several practical avenues for engagement.

These include opportunities to exchange information about markets and business conditions, identify potential trading opportunities, connect with prospective partners and explore joint ventures.

The council may also help businesses understand opportunities for entering new markets by facilitating direct communication with companies and business organisations in the other country.

For investors, stronger institutional links between business communities can create greater visibility around potential projects and areas of cooperation. For established companies, the council can provide a channel for expanding existing commercial relationships and identifying new partners.

The emphasis on private-sector cooperation also indicates that businesses will remain central to the development of bilateral economic ties.

Outlook for UAE-Lebanon business cooperation

The establishment of the UAE-Lebanon Joint Business Council marks another step toward strengthening economic engagement between the two countries.

With trade, investment, market access and private-sector cooperation forming the core areas of discussion at the UAE-Lebanon Business Forum, the council is positioned to support continued dialogue between businesses and economic organisations.

Its ability to connect companies, facilitate market information and identify areas for partnerships and joint ventures could help create additional opportunities for bilateral commerce.

The four additional memoranda signed during the forum further contribute to the broader effort to expand economic cooperation.

As the new council begins its work, businesses in the UAE and Lebanon will have a dedicated platform through which they can explore commercial opportunities, build relationships and pursue new forms of economic cooperation.

The initiative ultimately aims to strengthen the institutional foundations of UAE-Lebanon business relations while creating greater opportunities for companies from both countries to participate in trade, investment and cross-border partnerships.