Under the auspices of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, ESCWA and the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (NCRS), in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Administrative Reform, organized a workshop on National Technology Transfer System, on 23 February 2017, at Grand Serail, Beirut.

The workshop is part of the regional ESCWA project on setting up  national technology transfer systems in five Arab countries members of ESCWA, namely Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia.

The purpose of this system is to strengthen partnerships between universities and research institutions on the one hand, and on the other hand production and services sectors, industry, relevant governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The ultimate goal is to invest the outcome of research in responding to the needs of society, solving its problems, and promoting the capacities of national innovation systems.
Speakers during the workshop included Minister of State for Administrative Reform Inaya Ezzeddine, who welcomed the participation of the ministry in this national project; and CNRS Secretary-General Moeen Hamza, who noted that the Council is seeking to implement the national technology transfer system to strengthen national innovation systems.

ETC Executive Director Foud Mrad also noted in his speech that the project seeks to update concerned legislation, in cooperation and coordination with governmental institutions, and establish a national network and central coordination office to link scientific, research, production, industrial and funding elements of excellence within a productive system that uses harmonious enabling legislation. 

The workshop also featured prominent speakers, including lawyer Ali Berro from the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform,  Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Committee MP Samer Saade, Chairman of the National, Trade and Industry and Economy Planning Committee Former Minister Nabil de Freige, President of the Higher Council of Lebanese Customs General Nizar Khalil and Moroccan Expert of Nanotechnology Hicham Bu Zekry.