economic synergies
DESCRIPTION
Economic Mission to Lebanon 2013TRANSCRIPT
economic SYnergiES economic MisSIOn LEbanON 2013
THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM
ROMANIAN MINISTRY OF
ECONOMY, THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM AND
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE OF BEIRUT AND MOUNT LEBANON ORGANIZED THE ECONOMIC
MISSION AND INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS FORUM "ECONOMIC
SYNERGIES". THE EVENT TOOK PLACE ON 1-‐5 JUNE 2013 WITH
THE EXTRAORDINARY
PARTICIPATION OF MR. VARUJAN VOSGANIAN, ROMANIAN
MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND
MRS. RAMONA MĂNESCU, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.
THE PROJECT “ECONOMIC
SYNERGIES” INITIATED BY THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM, AIMS TO PROVIDE SMART
SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE
ROMANIAN ECONOMY AND
STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC
RELATIONS AT EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
THE PROGRAMME, BASED ON GENERATING DEBATES AND
MEETINGS BETWEEN LOCAL
AND FOREIGN BUSINESS
GROUPS, INCLUDED THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
FORUM, MEETINGS WITH
MEMBERS OF BEIRUT TRADERS ASSOCIATION AND ELIE SAAB, B2B MEETINGS, THE GALA DINNER AND VISITS
TO IMPORTANT TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS.
THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM
LEBANON
Lebanon, the Phoenician civilization cradle, was successively conquered by Egyptians, Assyrian-‐Babylonians, Macedonians, Romans and Arabs. In the 19th century, the country came under Ottoman dominance, although maintaining a privileged status. After the First World War, between 1920 and 1943, the French mandate established in Lebanon. On 22 November 1943, Lebanon proclaimed itself as an independent state.
Lebanon is situated in a strategic geographical location, at the crossroads of three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. This added to its long commercial tradition and free trade regime, qualified Lebanon as an important commercial and business Centre of the region. Commerce is an important source of income and employment, playing a pivotal part in the Lebanese economy, with a 27.5% share in the country’s GDP.
Specifically, the Lebanese market is based on consumption mainly from imports. The value of import per capita is one of the highest in the region, considering it is a country that does not produce petrol.
Lebanon is well known for its strong banking sector; in the region, the experience and quality of services offered by Lebanese banks are recognized. Lebanon has 71 banks with total assets of over 156 billion dollars.
Lebanon remains one of Romania’s main commercial partners in the Middle East, in the same time being an important connection between the Gulf region to Romania, in the area of commerce and Arab investments.
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BEIRUT TRADERS ASSOCIATION Beirut Traders Association (BTA), established in 1921, is an influential economic organization, which endeavors to promote the interests of the merchant sector in the Lebanon; as such, it plays a key role in the national economic scene.
Representing merchants and services firms registered at the Commercial Registry in Beirut, BTA aims to establish a comprehensive platform for inter-‐business relations in Lebanon and with external trading partners.
The Romanian delegation met BTA representatives on 3 June 2013 within the association’s headquarter. Important business people of Beirut, the two vice-‐presidents of the association and the executive director attended the meeting.
Following discussions, numerous opportunities for economic cooperation and possible business partnerships were identified. As such, a visit of the Lebanese business people to Romania will be organized in September.
VIP WORKING DINNER HOTEL PHOENICIA
The working dinner especially organized for the International Business Forum “Economic Synergies” took place on 3 June 2013 at Hotel Phoenicia, Beirut.
The Romanian business people delegation was lead by Mr. Varujan Vosganian, Minister of Economy, by Mrs. Ramona Mănescu, Member of the European Parliament and by His Excellency, Mr. Daniel Tănase, Romanian Ambassador to Lebanon.
Mr. Marwan Kheireddine, State Minister, Government of Lebanon and important business people of Lebanon attended the event.
Mrs. Nela Păvăloiu, President of the European Development Platform, opened the evening, stating that:
“This visit to Lebanon is a philosophy of the European Development Platform to contribute in a concrete way to Romania's economic diplomacy. We understand that although belonging to the European Union, the world does not begin and end at its gates. It is natural for each EU state to revive old relations or knot new ones. For Romania, the countries of the Middle East in general, and Lebanon in particular, are a major area of interest, politically and economically.
EDP is opening up towards countries of Middle East and I am convinced that this economic mission will be the foundation of numerous strong business partnerships. “
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM ECONOMIC SYNERGIES
The International Business Forum “Economic Synergies” was organized by the European Development Platform, the Ministry of Economy, Romanian Government, and by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
The event brought together Romanian senior officials, leaders of important economic Romanian organizations, as well as senior officials, members of the Lebanese government, important representatives of Lebanese business groups.
Discussions were opened by dr. Nabil Fahed, Vice-‐President of Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, who greeted the Romanian business people delegation and congratulated the initiative taken by the European Development Platform to organize this event.
“I AM POSITIVE THAT THIS VISIT WILL GENERATE A NEW PERSPECTIVE FOR THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES; IT WILL ENHANCE ECONOMIC COOPERATION.”
NABIL FAHED, VICE-‐PRESIDENT, CCIA BEIRUT
“I AM FULLY CONVINCED THAT THE DISSCUTIONS INITIATED OR INTENSIFIED TODAY, THROUGH THIS EVENT, WILL GENERATE ACTIVE, OPTIMIST AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESS INITIATIVES AND WILL STRENGTHEN GENERAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES.”
NELA PĂVĂLOIU PRESIDENT E.D.P.
Mrs. Nela Păvăloiu, President of the European Development Platform stated:
“I truly hope that this meeting today will be the starting point of an intense cooperation, mutually beneficial to our countries, in the difficult context of the global economic crisis.
There are several prerequisites for benefits for both sides: the tradition of our trade relations, the level of sympathy and appreciation for each other, the need for innovation and increased economic partnerships.
I strongly believe that we must be innovative knowing that global financial networks can be affected by systemic crisis. Pessimism is not one of my features, as a person or in the organization I lead. Looking around, I am so pleased to notice the quality of participants and representatives present here today. I am counting on your dynamism, your intelligence to succeed together.
Both Romania, as well as Lebanon, went through hard times that affected their economic situation, political stability and confidence for the future. It is time to get back together. Both our countries are strategically located. Anyone who wants to do business in the European Union can and must see Romania as a gate for access. Also Asia Minor and the Middle East are no better represented as economic opportunities than Lebanon.
The European Development Platform (E.D.P.) was established with the goal of accomplishing a dual attribute, as a Romanian entity by creation and European by vocation. E.D.P. brings together privately and publicly held companies, from all sectors of the Romanian economy, NGOs and distinguished individuals from Romania, European Union and candidate countries.
This platform for dialogue is based on generating debates and meetings between local and foreign business groups in order to initiate and contribute to an interactive dialogue on current issues, aiming to provide economic smart solutions, to support the implementation of economic projects and partnerships.
There is already a history of E.D.P. that validates the approach of those who initiated it. Thematically richness of the events organized, honorable participation, and reactions abroad and in Romania, illustrated in the media, are an encouragement to continue and strengthen this approach. As such, we initiated the programme Economic Synergies, and the first mission of the project is in Lebanon.
The platform is open to all organizations that share its vision and philosophy of action. Although it is a private organization, E.D.P. is to serve the public interest, the interests of Romanian society, being driven by European values, the spirit that brought peace and economic recovery, which promoted democracy in Europe.”
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His Excellency, Mr. Daniel Tănase, Romanian Ambassador to Lebanon, felt honored and pleased to be part of this event; he sincerely congratulated the European Development Platform for their initiative and thanked the Lebanese partners for the hospitality shown to the Romanian delegation. “We sincerely value these initiatives, as, on one hand, Lebanon is and will remain an important partner, and on the other hand, there are still enormous opportunities to be explored and materialized and I hope the participants will seize the momentum for identifying new projects and extending the business relations with Romania.” His Excellency presented several details of the bilateral relation between Romania and Lebanon: “Lebanon plays an important role in Romania's strategy of developing relations with Middle East countries. In this context I would like to emphasize that Lebanon is one of the main economic and trade partners of Romania in this geographical area. The volume of the bilateral trade between Romania and Lebanon reached, at the end of 2012, the value of 185.13 million dollars, out of which Romanian exports to Lebanon were 177.32 million dollars and Romanian imports from Lebanon were 7.81 million dollars. The trade balance favors Romania with 169.51 million dollars. In the first three months of 2013 the total trade between our two countries reached 90.55 million dollars. Nevertheless, we are confident that there are growth opportunities for both sides which should not be wasted. Let me take this opportunity to express our confidence that we can increase further the volume of our bilateral trade in the near future and achieve a dynamic balance of economic exchanges with Lebanon. Lebanon investments registered in Romania are currently of 148 million dollars as share-‐capital and approximately 2.5 billion dollars as market value:
ü 3788 companies with Lebanese capital are registered in Romania; ü Lebanese investments covers sectors such as: agriculture (crop production, animal
farms), food production, distribution, banking, services, retailing, wholesale, constructions, hotels and tourism, shipping.
ü Lebanon is no. 1 investor in Romania from the Arab League countries ü Lebanon ranks 27th as top direct investors listed in Romania
“ON THIS DAY, JUNE 4TH 2013, A NEW BOOST TO THE ALREADY STRONG LEBANESE-‐ROMANIAN TIES WAS GIVEN. WE STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THIS HIGH VALUE RELATIONS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS BETWEEN LEBANESE COMPANIES AND BUSINESSMEN AND THEIR ROMANIAN COUNTERPARTS.”
MARWAN KHEIREDDINE MINISTER OF STATE, GOVERNMENT OF
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Advantages and opportunities Regarding the development of new economic projects located either in Romania, Lebanon or in third markets, I consider that there are certain areas of mutual interest and prospective that should be used for the benefit of our countries: Petroleum, natural gas and petrochemical industries, respectively: operation, extracting, transporting, storing oil and products; transportation, transit, import/export and distribution of natural gas; Civil and Industrial construction Romanian companies can participate in projects as sub-‐contractors or suppliers of construction materials or qualified personnel; Engineering, manufacturing industries:
• Setting up of new production capacities in the building materials industry (cement, gypsum factories);
• Joint production of vehicles spare parts (trucks, buses, off-‐road vehicles);
Energy and electricity: • Erection, upgrading and maintenance of transformer statios/substations and
transmission lines; • Use of new sources of non-‐conventional (renewable) energy;
Agriculture and food industry:
• Romania enjoys a significant potential, notably due to favorable climatic conditions, reflected in crop yields and production, which can fully satisfy domestic consumption needs in either quantity or quality and variety of food products, being able to assure an important export supply as well.
• Lebanese investors are very active in this filed in Romania where they are operating farms on large surfaces of agricultural lands.
Last but not least, I would like to emphasize the idea that, under the current global economic conditions, we should intensify cooperation at all levels between our economic organizations and companies.
I INVITE THE LEBANESE BUSINESSMEN TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE FAVORABLE CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY ROMANIA AND I HOPE I HAVE CONTRIBUTED, AT LEAST TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, TO NEW DECISIONS FOR EXTENDING YOUR BUSINESS RELATIONS WITH ROMANIA.
H.E. MR. DANIEL TĂNASE ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON
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ATTENDEES • Marwan Kheireddine, State Minister • Elias Skaff, Ex-‐Minister of Agriculture • Amine Fakhoury, Parliament Counselor • Ghassan Moukheiber, Member of Parliament • Michel Pharaon, Member of Parliament • Sebouh Mekhjian, Parliament Counselor • E.S. Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador of Armenia • Saad Azhari, President Blom Bank • Alexandre Mouradian, Director Blominvest Bank • Ahmad Alaeddine, President Ikhlim El Kharroub
Traders Ass. • Nicholas Photiades, CEO Gulf Finance &
Investment Co. • Rafic Zantout, President Lebanese Economic
Forum • Hadi Hammoud, Deputy General Manager Al
Mawarid Bank • Joseph B. Metni, Counselor of Transport Minister • Jihane Abi Khalil, Director Ademar Shipping Lines • Halim Hawat, President Hawat Trading • Hassan Zameli, Partner Agroli Group • Rami Ghaziri, CEO Agroli Group • Khaled Ghaziri, Partner Agroli Group • Akram Chammaa, CFO Arabian Civil Works • Mohamad Chammaa, Director Arabian Civil Works • Rafif Kobeisi Berro, Director, Ministry of Economy • Fayez Jabado, President Jabwood International • Pierre H. Georgiou, General Manager PROSEC • Bilal Sharara, General Secretary of Lebanese
Parliament • Mohamad Lamaa, Vice – President CCIB-‐ML • Ahmad Assi, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Hassan Murad, Partner Murad Group Romania • Jamal Alaeddine, Murad Group Romania • Bashar Boubbes, President Modern Mills of
Lebanon • Riyad Abou Nasr Basatne, President HYPCO Group • Raed Abou Nasr Basatne, CEO HYPCO Group • Samir Rahal, Ministry of Economy and Commerce • Youssef Kanan, General Secretary ICC • Wajih Bizri, President ICC • Nabil Fahed, Vice-‐president CCIAB-‐ML • Victor Najjairan, CCIB-‐ML • Maroun Helou, President Trade Union of Public
Works • Toufic Dabboussi – President Dabboussi Group • Robert Abiad, President White Holiday • Antoine Fadel, President IDM Group • Melhem Saber, President Romania – Levant Ass. • Nathalie Denise Bekai, Vice-‐president Romania-‐
Levant Association • Ghassan Bolbol, Member CCIA-‐BML • Victor Najarian, Member CCIA-‐BML
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• Roger Khayat, Economic Counselor, CCIA-‐BML • Mohamad Saleh, President Sidon Chamber • Toufic Dabboussi, Treasurer, Tripoli Chamber • Fouad Zmokhol, President of Lebanese Business
People Association • Wajih Bizri, President Int’l Chamber – Lebanon • Samir Rahal, President of National Council of
Lebanese Economists • Cheik Nassib Gemayel, President Federation of
Traders Mount Lebanon • Fadi Chahrour, Member Beirut Trader Association • Jihad Tannir, Member Beirut Trader Association • Maroun Helou, General Manager Abniah • Adbelwadoud Nsouli, President, Trade Union of
Traders • Menhem Maroun, Malia Group • Khalil Khalil, Krm Int’l Trading • Liberg Arslanian, LB Contracting • Abdo Jeffy, General Bank Society • Albert Aoun, DG IFP • Chafic Chaya, Iktissad wa Aamal Group • Bassem Bawab, Rafic Bawab & Co • Mahmoud Chatila, Universal Equip • Youssef Kanan, General Manager Consolidated
Construction Co (CCC) • Chady Fakhry, Fakhry Trading • Samir Ghaleb, Yachts Owners Association • Samir Kassis, Blom Bank • Ahmad Issa, Issa Holding • Abdo Oueidat, ACC • Hussein Al Moussawi, Al Bonyan • Fayez Jabado, Jabwood • Assaad Badawi, Badawi Group • Farid Salem, Bemo Bank • Dani Medawar, Wood Land Lebanon • Romeo Younes, Chemical Resources Near East • Khaled Farchouk, International Relations, Lebanese
Industry People Association • Samer Kabbara, Open Door • Anis Sallouh, SC-‐Trading • Soha, Sallouh, SC-‐Trading • Abdel Hamid, El Fil, Filtex • Jalal Fawaz, President Professional Computer
Association • Hicham Howayek, Byblos Bak • Roland Shkyban, Int’l Network Spheres • Ralph, Shkyban, Int’l Network Spheres • Akram Rayess, Al Dar Consulting • Pamela Rahal, Al Dar Consulting • Garabed Jikerjian, President of Cyprus Commercial
Center
