Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat, affirmed that the city of Sidon is a city of openness and pluralism and possesses great economic and developmental potentials that qualify it to play a pivotal role at the level of Lebanon, stressing the importance of reactivating the role of its port and waterfront within an integrated development vision that promotes balanced growth between regions. Al-Bassat's statement came during a visit he made to the city, which he began at the port of Sidon, accompanied by the advisor to the Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Development, Dr. Sati' Al-Arnaout, where he was received by a number of officials and economic and municipal actors, led by the mayor of Sidon, Engineer Mustafa Hegazy, the head of the Economic Department in the South, Maysaa Hadraj, the president of the Sidon and Suburbs Merchants Association, Ali Al-Sharif, and a number of those concerned with the port and economic sectors. The minister's tour included a visit to the port of Sidon, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and the South, the fishermen's port and the fish market, in addition to the Sidon commercial market, where he learned about the reality of the economic sectors and the challenges they face, and met a number of activists and merchants. During his visit to the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sidon and the South, Minister Al-Bassat held an extensive meeting with the President of the Chamber, Mohamed Hassan Saleh, and members of the Chamber, during which he listened to the concerns of the commercial and economic sectors, in addition to the conditions of the industrial and agricultural sectors and ways to support them. Minister Al-Bassat said, “The role of Sidon is very important, whether in terms of its geographical location and its connection with the south, Beirut, and its surroundings, or through its cultural heritage and economic role,” pointing out that the city is the “gateway to the south” and possesses basic components, including a port, education, and human capabilities, which allow it to play a role much greater than the role it plays today. He stressed that “balanced development between regions is essential,” stressing that Sidon must be an essential part of it, and that it possesses all the ingredients that qualify it to be a pivotal city economically and developmentally. The minister pointed out that “starting the visit from the port was not a coincidence,” explaining that this facility constitutes a fundamental pillar in any future vision for the city, and that what is required is to rethink Sidon’s economic, social, and cultural role within a long-term development plan. Al-Bassat stressed that the government stands by Sidon and appreciates the role it played during the difficult circumstances, stressing that the next stage requires working on projects that enhance the city’s position, starting from the waterfront and the port, all the way to the various productive sectors. The minister concluded his tour by visiting the fishermen's port and the fish market, where he learned about the conditions of the fishermen and their demands, before moving to the Sidon commercial market to follow up on the reality of the commercial movement and the challenges faced by the merchants.