The Entrepreneurship Center at the Arab Open University – Lebanon held a policy discussion titled “The Digital Authority Draft Law and its Impact on Entrepreneurship and Innovation” on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Hilton Habtoor Hotel in Sin El Fil. The event brought together legal experts, policymakers, academics, public- and private-sector representatives, and young entrepreneurs to examine one of Lebanon’s most pivotal emerging legislative frameworks.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by the Vice Deputy of the Rector, Dr. Dani Aoun, who emphasized the university’s commitment to high-quality education, community service, and research-driven innovation that safeguards the public interest and supports sustainable development. He noted that digital transformation is no longer optional, but an essential national priority that requires thoughtful, balanced legislation.
The panel discussion was moderated by Mrs. Randa Yassir, international strategist, who opened with a key question: How can Lebanon revive its economy? She highlighted the essential link between policymaking, academic research, and legislative modernization.
MP Dr. Razi El Hage discussed the urgency of digitizing public services and bureaucratic procedures to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for Lebanese citizens. He stressed that a national digital authority could become a cornerstone for institutional modernization.
Me. Charbel Chbeir, legal expert, emphasized the need for clear legal protections, responsible data governance, and a technology-neutral approach to regulation. He outlined three pillars essential to any digital transformation, a robust legal framework, skilled human capital, and strong digital infrastructure.
Dr. Sarah Sidani, Head of the Entrepreneurship Center, addressed the challenges of Lebanon’s large informal sector. She explained how the informality of entrepreneurial activity limits tax revenues, restricts access to markets, hinders quality control, and diminishes public trust in local products or services. She stressed the need for awareness among both entrepreneurs and students regarding the rights, obligations, and opportunities defined by digital and economic laws.
The open discussion highlighted the shared responsibility of legislators, institutions, and the entrepreneurial community in shaping an innovation-driven economy. The session concluded with a set of practical recommendations developed during the event, including:
- Establishing clear, balanced, and unified definitions of policies and laws to serve people.
- Creating clear foundations to address issues related to decent work and link them to economic growth, with a need to unify efforts to achieve these goals.
- Building secure national digital infrastructure
- Strengthening human capital through education, training, and upskilling
- Encouraging formalization of entrepreneurial activity to ensure quality, trust, and economic growth
- Reinforcing public-private-academic collaboration, because the private sector is heavily concerned with digitization and advancing standards in both local and global markets.
- Enabling and strengthening the role of unions to keep pace with developments and protect workers’ rights.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to all panellists and attendees, and all those who made sure this discussion was a success.
