In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, governments worldwide increasingly acknowledged the importance of economic and financial education both as a life skill and as a key component of economic stability and development. As a consequence, raising the level of economic and financial literacy is more of a priority in the developing economies and is emerging as an important topic relevant to the Government of Lebanon. In this context, a National Conference on Financial Capabilities was organized on October 21-22, 2015 by the Association of Banks in Lebanon, in partnership with the Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan – Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the OECD-International Network for Financial Education (INFE). The conference was held in the presence of more than 100 representatives from the public and private sectors and international organizations, namely senior officials from concerned ministries and the Central Bank of Lebanon, in addition to representatives of the academic and education sectors, experts from the banking sectors, financial institutions, insurance companies and incubators, civil society and the media. Distinguished guest speakers featured H.E. Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Finance, Mr. Fadi Yarak, Director General representing H.E. Dr. Elias Abou Saab, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Dr. Joseph Torbey, President of the ABL. Dr. Rouhana, GM of IM Capital was invited as a panelist in the session "Strengthening financial inclusion" moderated by Dr. Khater Abihabib, Chairman of Kafalat, with the below panelists, stressing the importance of financial education and strengthening of financial capabilities as one of the key vehicles to achieve sustainable economic and social development in Lebanon for the coming decades.

• Access to finance – ESFD experience: Ms. Racha CHAHINE, Deputy Director, Economic and Social Fund for Development, Lebanon
• Empowering women in business: Ms. Tania MOUSSALLEM, Head of Marketing & Support Groups, Assistant General Manager, BLC Bank and Chair of the Global Banking Alliance for Women Board
• Financial Inclusion in Lebanon: Lessons Learned and Challenges in 2015-2020: Ms. Mayada BAYDAS, Executive Director, EMKAN
• Lebanese entrepreneurs and financial capability: Where does Lebanon stand? Mr. Nicolas ROUHANA, General Manager of IM Capital
• Real life case studies from Speed@BDD’s experience with Lebanese entrepreneurs, Mr. Sami ABOU SAAB, CEO, Speed@BDD