Why must Beirut be "THE" Regional Digital Hub?

Lebanese people over the centuries were known for their creativity, communication and sales skills. 

Although the excess of freedom in Lebanon has put us in troubles of different parties and religious convictions without a centralized decision and vision for one country, however, this has brought us big value add especially in terms of diversity and inclusion which has put the Lebanese minds to be considered between the most creative in the world and this with the acknowledgment of all countries where Lebanese work or have friends. 

Lebanese people have enriched the countries where they went to live or work, and the examples are plenty and not the objective of this article. 

What I want to focus on in my article is why the current global pandemic situation and the Post Covid19 outbreak must be an opportunity for the Lebanese government and Lebanese investors to sponsor and invest in different digital districts in Lebanon. 

Due to the current global economic situation, many Lebanese abroad have decided to return home, and many of Lebanese minds still see in their country a good resort for a happy, balanced life because Lebanon is a heaven on earth and one of best touristic destinations for a diversified type of activities. 

Lebanese minds are unique; the soft skills and hard skills that we possess are many, we are so strong in coding, innovating, marketing, sales, and most importantly, what i call "THE" Lebanese Unique Creativity . 

Now it's the right moment to invest in Lebanese skills and focus all our energy in attracting the global investors and Lebanese abroad to invest in Lebanon's digital districts, which can be regional hubs for remote workforce either in a remote highly skilled call centers approach or incubation for new technologies such as bio-engineering, bio-medicine, artificial intelligence, block chain, etc. 

Our government has a big role to play in terms of E-government regulations, and encouraging such digital hubs via special legislation and tax-free benefits. 

Skilled and wealthy Lebanese entrepreneurs abroad must also play a big role in advising our government and lobbying as well with foreign investors to encourage them to invest in Lebanese digital districts and run such models the soonest where the ROI can be really fast. 

Lebanon was and will always remain over history a rich and unique country whether we discover oil and gas in our offshore or not. We are rich by our unique values, diversity, and most importantly, the best and most creative minds all over the world. 

As John's Kennedy used to say: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

Charles Chebli.