Jaber reaffirms commitment to reform, regional solidarity at METAC conference
Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber chaired the annual meeting of the Steering Committee of the Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC) in Cairo, reiterating Lebanon’s steadfast commitment to economic reform, institutional resilience, and regional cooperation.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, which is organized by METAC in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Jaber expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Egypt for its hospitality, and commended the IMF and METAC team for their professional and timely preparations.
“In a region facing complex challenges, METAC has emerged as a critical anchor of macroeconomic development, institutional capacity building, and policy credibility,” said Jaber. “Since its founding in 2004, METAC has provided a platform for meaningful engagement among member states, development partners, and the IMF.”
Highlighting Lebanon’s unique role as both a host country and a key contributor to METAC’s success, Jaber noted that national institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, Banque du Liban, the Central Administration of Statistics, and the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan have been among the most active in METAC’s programs.
“This collaboration has yielded tangible results,” he said. “A generation of Lebanese professionals has been shaped through METAC’s capacity-building initiatives—many of whom now serve as regional advisors, sharing their expertise across the region.”
Despite the country’s current fiscal challenges, Jaber reaffirmed Lebanon’s full commitment to METAC’s mission and pledged to resume financial contributions once the domestic situation stabilizes.
Over the past year, Lebanon has continued to benefit from METAC’s technical support, including assistance in reforming the income tax system and improving cash management. According to Jaber, such efforts have proven crucial in addressing mounting financial pressures and laying the groundwork for broader reform.
Addressing the agenda’s thematic focus, the minister welcomed METAC’s renewed engagement with Syria as a vital step toward restoring institutional capacity in a country central to regional stability. On the digital transformation front, he emphasized its potential as a tool to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen trust.
“We don’t view digitalization merely as a technical shift,” Jaber noted, “but as a transformational path toward more effective and trustworthy public institutions.”
The minister also thanked METAC’s development partners—including the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia—for their continued support. He specifically welcomed the newly established IMF–Saudi Arabia Capacity Development Partnership, underscoring its anticipated impact on strengthening METAC’s regional outreach.
Looking ahead, Jaber reaffirmed Lebanon’s ongoing commitment to hosting METAC in Beirut, describing it not only as a logistical arrangement but as a symbol of regional ownership and continuity. He concluded by inviting participants to the 2026 Steering Committee meeting in the Lebanese capital, expressing hope that the gathering would mark a reaffirmation of Beirut’s enduring role in METAC’s success story.
“Let us continue building strong institutions, restoring trust, and investing in the people who will carry our region toward a more stable and prosperous future,” Jaber said.
