The Meref – CCI France Liban signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with QOOT Cluster, the first agri-food innovation cluster in Lebanon.
CCI France Liban – Meref aims to promote economic and cultural ties between France and Lebanon, an initiative born out of the desire of Lebanese and French heads of enterprises and the regional economic section of the Embassy of France in Lebanon.
Meref is a business club with a membership of 120 grouping subsidiaries, representative offices, commercial agents, and startups operating in Lebanon in addition to those working on promoting French economic interests in Lebanon.
Resident of Meref, Mr. Maxence Duault along with QOOT president Mrs. Nadine El Khoury met for the signing along with QOOT cluster manager Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan and QOOT board member Nabil Shouman.
Dr. Marc BouZeidan, the QOOT Cluster manager, cited the importance of joining ESA and QOOT resources for the sake of strengthening the linkages between Lebanon and France, throughout the ongoing economic crisis. This MOU will help focus research efforts on finding innovative solutions to Lebanese economic problems, such as food safety and sustainability. It aims to raise awareness on the agri-food sector and its importance in the Lebanese economy.
The MOU allows the members of both parties, particularly those of the Food Safety and Quality Management program, to observe the industry first-hand and enter the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Members of ESA-Meref will also benefit from projects, research funding, and internships through QOOT.
The collaborative efforts of ESA-Meref and QOOT, aims to promote Lebanon’s AgriFood sector to new heights of sustainable prosperity and innovation, and establish a framework where the sector can bloom, strive and flourish, despite the obstacles presented by the economic situations.