Saeb N. Jaroudi
Encyclopedia
Dr. Saeb N. Jaroudi is a 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
(UNIDO), which culminated in the signing of 20 new joint venture projects between Lebanese and foreign investors.
His strong United Nations
ties began when he joined the UN’s Center for Development Planning in New York as a Senior Economist. During a decade-long UN career, he assisted in the establishment and implementation of several Arab countries’ national development plans. He also assisted the Kuwaiti government in establishing the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development
and driving its operations during its early years.
Fresh from completing his Master's degree at the University of California, Berkeley
and his PhD Studies at Columbia University
, Dr. Jaroudi began his professional experience teaching Economics at the American University of Beirut
, where he also participated in the pioneering work of the Economic Research Institute on economic development and business legislation in the Middle East.
In recognition of his contributions to the economic and social advancement of developing countries, Dr. Jaroudi was elected as a member of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy and UNESCO
’s International Fund for the Promotion of Culture. He has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the British Lebanese Association, and International College
in Lebanon.
He was elected as the first Chairman/ Director General of the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development is a Kuwait-based, pan-Arab development finance institution. All member-states of the Arab League are members of the AFESD. As of 2003, it held around USD 7.3 billion in assets....
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
Arab Monetary Fund
The Arab Monetary Fund is a regional Arab organization, founded 1976, and operational from 1977. It is a working sub-organization of the Arab League.-Objectives:...
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
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization , French/Spanish acronym ONUDI, is a specialized agency in the United Nations system, headquartered in Vienna, Austria...
(UNIDO), which culminated in the signing of 20 new joint venture projects between Lebanese and foreign investors.
His strong United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
ties began when he joined the UN’s Center for Development Planning in New York as a Senior Economist. During a decade-long UN career, he assisted in the establishment and implementation of several Arab countries’ national development plans. He also assisted the Kuwaiti government in establishing the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development , commonly known as the Kuwait Fund, is the State of Kuwait’s agency for the provision and administration of financial and technical assistance to developing countries...
and driving its operations during its early years.
Fresh from completing his Master's degree at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and his PhD Studies at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, Dr. Jaroudi began his professional experience teaching Economics at the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
, where he also participated in the pioneering work of the Economic Research Institute on economic development and business legislation in the Middle East.
In recognition of his contributions to the economic and social advancement of developing countries, Dr. Jaroudi was elected as a member of the United Nations Committee for Development Policy and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
’s International Fund for the Promotion of Culture. He has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the British Lebanese Association, and International College
International College
Internationella kunskapsgymnasiet is an independent gymnasium in Liljeholmen in Stockholm, Sweden. The school is bilingual, with a mixture of Swedish and English used depending on the course....
in Lebanon.