Saeb N. Jaroudi

Who is Saeb N. Jaroudi?

Dr. Saeb N. Jaroudi is the former Minister of National Economy, Industry, and Tourism in Lebanon and a senior economic consultant advising international public and private institutions on economic policy and project finance. He has held a number of leadership roles in the Arab world, Europe, and the United States throughout his career. He has also served on several Boards and is currently a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of Arab Finance Corporation.

He was elected as the first Chairman/ Director General of the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development by the Arab Ministers of Finance. He established the Fund as the regional development bank of the Arab world, initiating and financing major national and inter-country industrial, agriculture, rural development, power, water, education, and healthcare projects. During his tenure, he also initiated the establishment of the Arab Monetary Fund and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development.

As Cabinet Minister of Lebanon, Dr. Jaroudi introduced policies that successfully stimulated the development of lesser developed regions of the country, encouraged the flow of foreign direct investment into the country and increased exports through bilateral trade agreements. To promote investment in Lebanon’s industrial sector, he developed and led a pioneering matchmaking program with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, which culminated in the signing of 20 new joint venture projects between Lebanese and foreign investors.