The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunch on 18th of November 2013, at Eau de Vie Restaurant (Phoenicia Hotel) in honor of Newly appointed US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale, in the presence of Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud, and former Ministers Jihad Azour and Sami Haddad.
Several heads of economic organizations and chambers were on the guest list, including President former Minister Adnan Kassar, Association of Banks in Lebanon Chairman Francois Bassil, President of the Union of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon and President of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber Mohammad Choucair, Union of Arab Banks President Joseph Torbey, Union of Mediterranean Confederation of Enterprises President (UMCE BUSINESSMED) Jacques Sarraf, Lebanese Businessmen's Gathering President Fouad Zmokhol, International Chamber of Commerce President Wajih al-Bizri, Syndicate of Hotel Owners President Pierre Al-Ashkar, Syndicate of Public Works and Construction Contractors President Fouad al-Khazen and Lebanese Dutch Business Association President Mohammad Sinno.
American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce Chairman Salim Zeenni first delivered an address in which he emphasized "the strong partnership between Lebanon and the United States" and welcomed US Ambassador David Hale as "an old and dear friend" back to Beirut. Zeenni said that Hale is returning at a "difficult time for both the region and for Lebanon itself," and added: "The political and security environments are unstable, and war is raging a short distance from here. Lebanon's institutions of governance are in turmoil, and elections are alarming this coming year. The economic environment is also under stress, in several sectors. Tourism is perhaps the strongest disappointment, and the retail sector is also hurting."
Yet, he went on to explain that, "there is also good news on the economic front, and we in the private sector are determined to ensure that Lebanon's economy flourishes again across many sectors. This is where we will continue to seek the cooperation and support of the United States, which remains Lebanon's main trading partner. We are expecting an ever stronger partnership with you being here, adding strength and direction to Lebanon's private sector efforts."
"The oil and gas sector is a hot topic at the moment and needs immediate attention," he argued. "American private sector expertise is already at work and getting involved in these 'underwater resources' that everyone wants a piece of. We look forward to U.S. involvement in this huge initiative to make sure that the sector will bring the benefits it promises to Lebanon's people."
Furthermore, he added that, "Lebanon continues to be a leader in several fields around the world. The information technology sector is booming, with the production of multi-lingual software that has been successful throughout the Arab world and beyond, even in the United States. The fashion contributions of Lebanon's renowned designers are famous in the halls of high fashion in New York and around the world."
He added that, "The Agro-Industry is another arena in which U.S.-Lebanon partnership flourishes. The Chamber and the Embassy have worked together over the years to highlight the potential of this sector. Our two exhibitions - "Made in America" and "Taste of America" - have been very successful in raising awareness of American brands among Lebanese consumers. Franchising is also familiarizing buyers with many of these products, creating opportunities for growth in imports of consumer products from the U.S."
Zeenni asserted that "Lebanon is also ready to increase its exports to the United States, with wine rising as a model in this respect since many Lebanese producers are already exporting their production to the United States. Lebanese winemaking is the perfect example of a sector with a latent opportunity for growth, and Lebanese wines can enjoy a greater presence on US markets."
In conclusion, Zeenni assured everyone that "We have a lot to look forward to despite the tough circumstances. The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce is looking forward a partnership between Lebanon's private sector and the US Embassy in order to contribute to economic growth. The Chamber takes pride in its long-standing and successful cooperation with the US Embassy, which has contributed to a great extent to improving commercial relations and business connections between the two countries, and is looking forward to continuing this cooperation."
Ambassador Hale then took the floor, praising the efforts made by the Chamber to promote commercial exchanges between Lebanon and the United States and saying: "---------------
