Historical Overview of Rachid Karami International Fair

 The Rachid Karami International Fair, located in Tripoli, Lebanon, is a significant example of 20th-century modernist architecture and a symbol of Lebanon's post-independence era of modernization.

The original idea for establishing an international fair in the city of Tripoli emerged during the second half of the 1950s. The cornerstone was laid during this period, initiating the process of land expropriation, sometimes in the name of the Tripoli Fair and more often in the name of the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects (Conseil Exécutif des Grands Projets). This Council later assumed responsibility for studies, supervision, implementation, and administration, in addition to the expropriation process, during the period of 1962–1975.

The primary objective for its establishment was to host a permanent international public exhibition involving participation from states or companies, whether local, Arab, or foreign. This was intended to facilitate the introduction and exchange of products, boost the role of commerce in Lebanon, and revitalize the economic situation in the city of Tripoli, from whose residents' livelihoods over one million square meters were expropriated to realize this project. 

The task of creating the architectural designs was entrusted to the Brazilian-born engineer Oscar Niemeyer, who designed the city of "New Brasília" and produced other widely acclaimed and successful designs. 

Below, we detail how the concept of the Fair has evolved and been modified over the past half-century, passing through legal, administrative, and investment stages to reach its current status:

Evolution of the Tripoli International Fair

• First: A permanent international fair was established in Tripoli by Decree No. 4027 of May 1960. Article 5 of this decree authorized the creation of a mixed-economy company and the exhibition of products to introduce the public to the wealth of Lebanon and the Arab countries. Article 6 stipulated that foreign products intended for display would benefit from the temporary admission system outlined in Article 232 of the Customs Law.
• Second: On February 25, 1961, Decree No. 6247 was issued, which mandated the establishment of an institution called the Permanent International Fair Authority in Tripoli (Masaht al-Ma'rad al-Dawli al-Daim fi Tripoli). Its purpose was the administration and investment of the Fair. It was granted legal personality, administrative and financial autonomy, and was attached to the Ministry of Economy. Its Board of Directors consisted of a president and six members appointed by the Council of Ministers. Its expenses were divided into construction and administrative costs, and its staff included permanent employees, contracted workers, and experts.
• Third: Also on February 25, 1961, Decree No. 6248 was issued, which provided for the formation of the first Board of Directors, chaired by Saadi Al-Munla.
• Fourth: On November 13, 1961, Decree No. 8016 was issued, designating the Fair's works as public utility, and Article 2 stipulated the expropriation of necessary properties.
• Fifth: On January 16, 1962, Amado Chalhoub was appointed as the Fair's Director-General by Decree No. 8532, replacing Edmond Al-Tahini.
• Sixth: On June 11, 1962, Decree No. 9706 was issued, which amended the name of the Fair, adopting the title: The Permanent Lebanese International Fair Authority in Tripoli.
• Seventh: By a Council of Ministers decision dated July 19, 1962, the Council of Ministers decided that the mission of the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects regarding the International Fair would encompass all the necessary studies and works for the construction of the Fair (and expropriations were later added to this).
• Eighth: On September 3, 1962, Decree No. 10479 was issued, suspending the implementation of Decree No. 6247 of February 25, 1961 (concerning the establishment of the Fair Authority) until further notice.
• Ninth: On September 6, 1962, the Council of Ministers approved the resignation of the President and members of the Fair's Board of Directors (headed by Hazem Al-Jisr).
• Tenth: On May 17, 1963, Decree No. 12779 was issued, by which the Fair's employees and staff were attached to the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects for the entire period of the suspension of Decree No. 6247.
• Eleventh: In the period between 1961 and 1975, the land necessary for the Fair project was expropriated by the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects, and all current buildings were erected (the hotel building was intended for staff housing, the exhibition hall was not closed and air-conditioned until 1993, and the grounds were not planted with grass).
• Twelfth: On October 4, 1975, Decree No. 10764 was issued, cancelling Decree No. 10479 and Decree No. 12779 (regarding the attachment of employees to the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects). It reinstated the provisions of Decree No. 6247 of February 25, 1961, concerning the establishment of the Permanent International Fair Authority in Tripoli. This decree also provided for the formation of a Board of Directors, chaired by Adnan Al-Kassar, with Salim Al-Khoury as Vice-President, and members: George Assaily, Jamal Karhani, Farouk Masika, and Anwar Al-Khalil.
• Thirteenth: On November 25, 1978, the appointment of the Board was renewed under the chairmanship of Adnan Al-Kassar, and this renewal was repeated until November 1993 (a total duration of 18 years). During the tenure of this Board, Belgian expert Mitchels was consulted. He modified some designs, created a second main entrance from the north side, a second parking lot, and proposed an administrative organizational structure for the Fair that is still in effect today. This Board collaborated with the Council for the Implementation of Construction Projects to complete the construction and equipping of a number of the current buildings. However, the events the country witnessed between 1975 and 1990 prevented its scheduled opening in May 1976. Two important legal matters occurred during this Board's term:
• Fourteenth: The issuance of Law No. 30/80 by the Parliament on September 25, 1980, which stipulated several important matters, including:

• Amending the name to become the Permanent Lebanese International Fair in Tripoli.

• The law stipulated that the Fair's purpose is to introduce the wealth of Lebanon, Arab, and foreign countries, and to inform merchants and industrialists about the progress achieved in various branches of production. Its objectives include presenting a realistic image of Lebanon's economy, serving commerce, developing relations between Lebanon and other countries, showcasing Lebanon's civilizational, cultural, artistic, and touristic features, holding conferences, hosting international organizations, and providing an opportunity for Lebanese, Arab, and foreign producers, exporters, and importers to make direct contact and establish commercial relations among themselves.

• The law also stipulated that the Fair would be subject to Decree No. 4517/72 (the General System for Public Institutions) and the supervision of the Minister of Economy and Trade through a government commissioner he appoints.

• This law (30/80) exempted the Fair from the control of the Civil Service Council and made it subject to the subsequent control of the Court of Accounts and financial inspection.

• Fifteenth: The Bylaws of the Board of Directors were issued by a decision of the Minister of Economy in 1980.
• Sixteenth: The Fair's name was amended by Law No. 76 of August 16, 1991, renaming it the "Martyr President Rashid Karami International Fair in Tripoli."

The Beginnings of Construction (the 1960s Decade)