Beirut: Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has launched a project to restore the old market in the village of Douma in northern Lebanon with the aim of supporting the people in Lebanon to revitalise the commercial movement through the rehabilitation and restoration of the old market.
The restoration project is implemented with the Petrounyat Association, in completion of the agreement signed in 2019.
The project works to improve the urban planning of the Douma area and revitalise the commercial and economic movement. The project was launched during a ceremony held in the market under the patronage and presence of Lebanese Minister of Tourism H E Walid Nassar.
Ambassador of Qatar to Lebanon H E Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi delivered a speech during the ceremony as representative of the Qatar Fund for Development.
He said: “I am honoured to participate today in the launch of the Douma market restoration project, which Qatar was given the opportunity to finance out of its tireless desire to stand by Lebanon and support it in all fields.”
“This support and funding stems from Qatar’s realisation that heritage is one of the things that give distinctive features to every nation, as heritage is part of its identity and it shows how it built its glories and what are the reasons that led to its continuation or decline,” the ambassador added.
The ambassador noted that launching the project is the culmination of the partnership and cooperation between Qatar, represented by the Qatar Fund for Development, and the sisterly Republic of Lebanon, and to complement the sustainable development goals that constitute common priorities.
The importance of the market lies in being an economic weight for the village, as well as an important heritage and tourist landmark.
Such projects not only contribute to reviving the economy and tourism, but also contribute to opening new job opportunities, refreshing the labour market and adding to the income of individuals.
This project is a continuation of the role of QFFD in helping the Arab brothers, and it is also a continuation of the sustainable development goals such as the eighth goal; which is “promoting steady, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and providing decent work for all”. It is one of the fund’s priorities.
