Friday, April 02, 2021
Paris probably with its own concept
Germany wants to build Beirut’s port
200 people die in a devastating explosion in the port of Beirut. Entire neighborhoods are being destroyed. Berlin now wants to play a role in the reconstruction – and the leading one, too. However, France is pursuing a similar plan. After all, both have the same conditions.
Germany apparently wants to present a billion-dollar proposal for the reconstruction of the port of Beirut next week. The project will have a volume of between 5 billion and 15 billion dollars and create up to 50,000 jobs, according to two insiders. In addition, more than 100 hectares of the area should be included. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will contribute two to three billion euros to the project.
According to insiders, Germany and France are vying to lead the reconstruction. The Federal Republic wants to work with the government in Paris. However, this is currently pursuing its own initiatives.
The German ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, confirmed that a proposal for a redevelopment of the port and adjacent areas should be presented in the coming week. The plans had been drawn up by several companies – including the consulting firm Roland Berger – and should be presented by them in the Lebanese capital.
There, 200 people were killed and thousands injured in an explosion at the port in August. Entire neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital were destroyed. The disaster exacerbated the country’s deepest political and economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
According to diplomatic circles, conditions would be set for the reconstruction project. Lebanon’s political elite must first agree on a government that would put state finances on a solid footing and take action against corruption. “This plan does not come without conditions,” said one of the insiders. Germany and France initially wanted to see a government in power that advocated reform. There is no getting around it “and that is good for Lebanon”. Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri and President Michel Aoun have not yet been able to agree on a new cabinet.
According to the information, the German proposal was put together by Roland Berger and is due to be presented on April 7th. It was reported from Lebanese government circles that in addition to France, the French port and container group CMA CGM was also interested in the project. According to one of the insiders, in March one of several French delegations also had representatives from the group. The visit was more about clean-up work than a more prepared new development, it said. Initially, no comments were received from the companies mentioned or the governments of France and Lebanon.
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