Ya Libnan

Mikati launches Beirut Digital District

Share:

Lebanese Prime minister Nagib Mikati launched on Monday the Beirut Digital District in the heart of Beirut with the aim of creating a hub for technology, attracting foreign investment and helping retain young and talented Lebanese.

The center is a high-rise building in the Bashoura district with 3,200 square meters of office space, is promising to offer advanced infrastructure – including broadband Internet and state-of-the-art information technology facilities according to local reports

The center also aims at becoming a center for IT startups.

Mikati said that his cabinet was determined to “perform its duties and keep Lebanon on the technology map. ” He also said that the Beirut Digital District project showed a “real partnership between the public and private sectors.”

“This is the best investment we could make. We want to create an environment of production. We want young people’s dreams to come true so that we can succeed as a society. Hand in hand we can go far together. And in five years, we can meet again and see this dream realized,” Karim Kobeissi, a lawyer and a leading figure behind the project, said during its launching .

in addition to Mikati and Kobeissi Maroun Chammas, chairman and CEO of Berytech and Nicolas Sehnaoui, Telecom Minister along with other dignitaries attended the launching

Lebanon has one of world’s slowest Internet speeds with occasional blackouts. Power outages are a daily occurrence and a lack of infrastructure and job opportunities tend to drive the majority of the country’s most talented to find better opportunities abroad.

A year ago, the Telecom Ministry improved the DSL connection speed , but even this step lagged way behind most countries in the region.

For years there has been talk of creating a tech center south of Beirut in Damour. But the plans never materialized due to political bickering. Organizers of this new project hope the site’s relatively small size and central location will bring people together.

Many have argued that all it would take for Lebanon’s well-educated workforce to stay at home is to have good infrastructure.

Mikati described the center as ” an important symbol,” adding that similar centers could be expected in the coming years outside of Beirut.

Sehnaoui said Lebanon could catch up with Dubai in the technology field if all parties get united.

Daily Star

Share:

Comments

14 responses to “Mikati launches Beirut Digital District”

  1. Antoine Kanaan Avatar
    Antoine Kanaan

    “Sehnaoui said Lebanon could catch up with Dubai in the technology field if all parties get united.”

    Sa3be

  2. Antoine Kanaan Avatar
    Antoine Kanaan

    “Sehnaoui said Lebanon could catch up with Dubai in the technology field if all parties get united.”

    Sa3be

  3. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    Of course sa3be. We could have the best and most advanced country in the world if we had civilised and educated people, but instead we have people supporting a gang that wants to liberate a farm that is as big as my backyard, we have people who are killing each other because of what is hapening in syria which does not concern us, people spying for israel instead of working for the Lebanese moo5abarat etc etc.
     
    There is a better chance that I will get to sleep with Scarlet Johansen before all parties get united!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Ohhh … You wish !  😉  A working phone-net in Tripoli would be nice. We all have dreams ….

      1. breakthemould Avatar
        breakthemould

         Who on earth wrote in the text the phrase “state of the art” who are you kidding Mr? deal with Internet speed and reliability as well as an affordable price for all before you BEGIN to use the word “State of the Art” Broadband. Where is it? to which overseas country have you been lately? Somalia, Mouritania, Mali, Afghanistan. I don’t mind, compare our services with these countries services and find out if we are behind them or behind Dubai. Oh, my giddy Aunt.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          According to Americans, those damn Canadians are the ‘Internet Terrorists’. They also hate snoops like Hezzys, Israelis, and Americans.
          Compare things with Canada then …. hahahhaha …. the net must be working right up there. 😉

          Love the line “Lebanon has one of world’s slowest Internet speeds ….”   I think the last ‘world-check’ on that it was the ABSOLUTE slowest. And that was before the cable-cut off Alexandria. Pretty bad to consider that Somalia might be better connected – pirates are making money. 🙂

        2. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          According to Americans, those damn Canadians are the ‘Internet Terrorists’. They also hate snoops like Hezzys, Israelis, and Americans.
          Compare things with Canada then …. hahahhaha …. the net must be working right up there. 😉

          Love the line “Lebanon has one of world’s slowest Internet speeds ….”   I think the last ‘world-check’ on that it was the ABSOLUTE slowest. And that was before the cable-cut off Alexandria. Pretty bad to consider that Somalia might be better connected – pirates are making money. 🙂

  4. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    Of course sa3be. We could have the best and most advanced country in the world if we had civilised and educated people, but instead we have people supporting a gang that wants to liberate a farm that is as big as my backyard, we have people who are killing each other because of what is hapening in syria which does not concern us, people spying for israel instead of working for the Lebanese moo5abarat etc etc.
     
    There is a better chance that I will get to sleep with Scarlet Johansen before all parties get united!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Ohhh … You wish !  😉  A working phone-net in Tripoli would be nice. We all have dreams ….

      1. breakthemould Avatar
        breakthemould

         Who on earth wrote in the text the phrase “state of the art” who are you kidding Mr? deal with Internet speed and reliability as well as an affordable price for all before you BEGIN to use the word “State of the Art” Broadband. Where is it? to which overseas country have you been lately? Somalia, Mouritania, Mali, Afghanistan. I don’t mind, compare our services with these countries services and find out if we are behind them or behind Dubai. Oh, my giddy Aunt.

        1. 5thDrawer Avatar
          5thDrawer

          According to Americans, those damn Canadians are the ‘Internet Terrorists’. They also hate snoops like Hezzys, Israelis, and Americans.
          Compare things with Canada then …. hahahhaha …. the net must be working right up there. 😉

          Love the line “Lebanon has one of world’s slowest Internet speeds ….”   I think the last ‘world-check’ on that it was the ABSOLUTE slowest. And that was before the cable-cut off Alexandria. Pretty bad to consider that Somalia might be better connected – pirates are making money. 🙂

  5. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    Having gadgets is one thing, but an evolved country is another. I prefer an evolved country over gadgets. A country where a Muslim, a Christian and Jew and a non believer can walk in a temple, a church and mosque without any negative feelings would be a good goal. What’s in dubai anyway if the women have no rights.

  6. MeYosemite Avatar
    MeYosemite

    Having gadgets is one thing, but an evolved country is another. I prefer an evolved country over gadgets. A country where a Muslim, a Christian and Jew and a non believer can walk in a temple, a church and mosque without any negative feelings would be a good goal. What’s in dubai anyway if the women have no rights.

Leave a Reply