Lebanon has launched a National Trade Help Desk to help MSMEs navigate trade procedures, compliance and market access. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, supported by UNDP and funded by the Government of Canada, and combines an online portal with in-person support through chambers of commerce across the country.
Lebanon has launched its first centralized National Trade Help Desk, a new platform designed to provide hands-on support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) dealing with trade procedures and business requirements in Lebanon and abroad.
The initiative—led by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Government of Canada—was introduced as part of a broader effort to make trade rules and processes more accessible to businesses.
What the Help Desk actually does
According to the ministry and UNDP, the Help Desk is built around practical delivery, not just information:
A booking system for consultations (one-on-one guidance)
Practical guidance on how to do business in Lebanon and internationally
Targeted training and interactive workshops (delivered through chambers of commerce)
UNDP described the model as “hybrid,” combining a digital platform with in-person access through the chambers—intended to ensure MSMEs can receive support regardless of where they are based.
Where SMEs can access it
UNDP said the Help Desk is accessible:
Online, via the Ministry’s website (Help Desk portal), and
In person, through chambers in Beirut, Tripoli and the Bekaa, with expansion planned “soon” to the South.
The portal address shared by UNDP is: helpdesk.economy.gov.lb.
Why this matters for entrepreneurs
For MSMEs, a major cost isn’t only financing—it’s navigating complexity: unclear requirements, fragmented procedures, and time lost moving between agencies or intermediaries.
In remarks cited by UNDP, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat framed the Help Desk as part of a wider reform track aimed at improving Lebanon’s business environment by reducing “information asymmetry” and improving regulatory clarity.
Canada’s ambassador to Lebanon and Syria, Gregory Galligan, said the goal is to strengthen trade institutions so businesses can compete with greater confidence.
What Lebanese SMEs can use it for (practical examples)
Based on the program description, this is where the platform becomes useful in real life:
First-time exporters needing clarity on steps, documentation and support channels
Importers dealing with compliance questions and procedural bottlenecks
Businesses exploring new markets and needing guidance on process, not just contacts
MSMEs that want training + workshops through chambers rather than private consultants
What to watch next
The key test will be execution: response time for consultations, quality of guidance, and whether the Help Desk becomes a dependable “single entry point” rather than another static government page. The expansion to additional chambers—particularly in the South—will also matter for nationwide access.
