The establishment of a free zone in Beirut port is under consideration. He spoke about the expected Israeli competition in the impending era of peace in the region . He said that Israel's stock exchange is one of the most important in the region. It lists stocks of leading international companies which rival Arab companies in the field of electronics, but there will be enough work for everybody. In addition, the presence of strong Arab stock exchange in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is to be reckoned with.
Optimism is in order.
The head of the Beirut exchange expressed his optimism in the future. He said that Lebanon had not lost nor will it lose its financial and economic role in the region. We should not tarry because the chance may thus be missed and the opportunity seized by other countries in the region. Contacts are in progress with a number of western countries, particularly with officials in Paris, London and Tokyo stock exchanges and offers of technical help have been received. Contacts are also being made with the world Bank and I.F.C with a view to developing existing exchange laws to conform with progress, and to computerize and join the linkage systems between exchanges.