BEIRUT: With the official opening Thursday of Beirut Souks, a flagship project by Solidere, Beirut is returning to the center of international designers’ attention, reviving their interest in turning the capital into the fashion hub of the Middle East.

World renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab took part in the news conference held on the occasion of the Beirut Souks’ inauguration.

“I am taking part in the inauguration of the Beirut Souks because I am very proud of this huge project and I am very well aware that it will highly contribute to the prosperity of the economic activity in Lebanon,” said Saab. “I have long been waiting for this moment.”

However, when asked about his 15 years of abstaining from doing fashion shows in Beirut, Saab said he and his employees had always been based in Lebanon but needed the support of the international media.

“We do not even have a fashion week in Lebanon and that’s what I am trying to achieve for the time being,” he said. “This will attract the international media to the country.”

Saab praised Lebanon for being able to attract international trademarks and said he was very proud of the Lebanese youths who are increasingly choosing fashion design as a career. “The Lebanese youths are very creative and I have always wanted Lebanon to be one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world,” he said. “I think that we will be able to reach this goal very soon.”

Saab stressed that he had never thought of leaving the country despite any security or political concerns. “I have always been based in Lebanon even with the security issues that took place in the country during the past few years,” he said.

Saab said one cannot keep on thinking of the political and security problems in Lebanon because this will prevent people from working and achieving their goals.

“We should always be able to think positively about Lebanon and properly fulfill our duties.”

The Beirut Souks are a modern commercial district that stands apart from all other contemporary commercial centers and malls. The unique concept safeguarded the souks’ historical street grid and brought back to life their historic names; some are covered souks like Souk al-Tawileh, Souk al-Jamil and Souk Arwam while others are open air locales such as Souk Ayyas and Souk Sayyour. These souks, along with the Intabli and Ajami Squares and the Gold Souks constitute the southern area of the development, which features retail outlets from different categories, offices, and a variety of restaurants and coffee shops.

Solidere vice chairman of the board of directors Maher Beydoun said that the project’s main objective was to create more job opportunities which would contribute to the development of the Lebanese economy while activating the commercial activity in the country.

Beydoun told The Daily Star that rents at the Beirut Souks reached 100 percent while 60 percent of the shops are already operating and the others would open very soon. “The security clashes that took place three weeks ago did not have any negative impact on the commercial activity in Beirut Souks,” he said. “Merchants are very satisfied.”

After the inauguration, Beirut Souks witnessed a fashion show by Saab on Thursday. Performances by acrobats, stilt walkers, dancers and musicians will take place Friday and Saturday.