Inside the launch of the British-Lebanese chamber of commerce

On January 27, at a reception held at the residence of the British Ambassador to Lebanon, a long-anticipated institution officially came to life: the British-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC). Launched under the patronage of British Ambassador Himesh Cowell, the chamber positions itself as a strategic bridge between Lebanese and British businesses.

According to a statement released by the British Embassy in Beirut, the BLCC “represents a major step in strengthening trade ties and expanding economic cooperation between Lebanon and the United Kingdom.” The chamber is officially affiliated with the global network of British Chambers of Commerce, which includes more than 75 chambers worldwide, and operates as a non-profit, independent organization supported by the British Embassy.

A strategic, non-profit business platform

In an exclusive interview with The Beiruter, BLCC CEO Yasmine El Hajj outlined how the chamber intends to grow its network and deliver value to its members.

Drawing comparisons with established chambers such as AmCham and CCI France, she explained that the BLCC follows a structured membership model. “These chambers operate through membership,” she said. “Over time, this allows the network to grow in a serious, sustainable way.”

El Hajj emphasized that the BLCC’s close coordination with the British Embassy is central to its mission. “As we grow our network, we work closely with the British Embassy,” she said. “The goal is to create a strong ecosystem that serves members who have real commercial interests with the UK.”

The chamber, she noted, plans to organize a steady pipeline of activities focused on engagement and practical value. “We will be hosting talks, seminars, and networking events,” El Hajj said.  “We’re opening membership now, growing the group, and once numbers increase, we’ll begin organizing events.”

According to El Hajj, the first talks and activities are expected to take place imminently. “Within the next two weeks, we should already have begun announcing events,” she said.

She added that outreach will be driven largely through digital platforms. “We’re keeping our Instagram active to reach people who are interested,” El Hajj said. “We want to clearly communicate that membership is open, events are coming, and the door is open for engagement.”

An invitation to engage

The British Embassy has formally called on Lebanese and British companies to join the BLCC and benefit from its resources, representation, and professional connections. At a time when trust, transparency, and international standards are critical to restoring confidence in Lebanon’s economy, the chamber’s affiliation with the global British Chambers of Commerce network adds institutional weight to its ambitions.

The BLCC enters the Lebanese economic landscape as a structured attempt to translate diplomatic relations into measurable trade, investment, and opportunity, anchored in networks, standards, and long-term collaboration.