The Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET) has launched the ‘Lebanese Internet Center’ (LINC), whose role consists of organizing and registering domain names with the ‘.lb’ root. The center will also launch and manage a new domain. Previously the .lb root was handled by  the American University of Beirut ( AUB).

The center is a multi-stakeholder project created by the government and the private sector. Along with MoET, the initiative was jointly founded the Ministry of Telecommunication, the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, the Internet Society in Lebanon (ISOC), the Lebanese Internet Technology Association (LITA), Women in IT, along with the Bar Association. LINC will be located at the Chamber of  Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an international nonprofit organization which coordinates the Internet's global domain name system, had already advised about the necessity of establishing this center, said Linda Kassem, Senior Legal Trade Specialist at MoET.

The center will support and organize all activities related to developing and improving the local Internet network, and building the capabilities of local society in this growing industry.

Kassem said that the aim of the new Arabic domain name is to motivate SME’s develop their e-commerce activities using Arabic content.

According to Kassem, the decision to launch this center was taken in March 2013. “The center was established with no initial investment, but founders are currently searching for funding opportunities to develop the services provided,” she said.

The center will provide training programs in new Internet technologies, along with other e-services.