Accessing Lebanon: Towards New Synergies Between UK and Lebanese Business
The Middle East Association, supported by the Embassy of Lebanon and UK Trade & Investment, is pleased to present our Trade & Investment Event, Accessing Lebanon: Towards new synergies between the UK and Lebanese Business. The event take place from 13.30 until 18.30 at the Middle East Association’s premises at Bury House.
The schedule is as follows:
13.30 Registration
14.00 Opening Plenary Session
Charles Hollis, Middle East Association
H.E. Mrs Inaam Osseiran, Lebanese Ambassador
Piers Cazalet, Deputy Head of Mission, Beirut
Nabil Itani, Investment Development Authority
Ziad Hayek, Higher Council for Privatization
14.45 Panel One: Doing Key Business Sectors – Construction and Energy
David Rowlands, CEO, Spectrum
Johnny Ojeil, Director, Arup
Rob Jones, Director of Assets: Mediterranean, Cairn Energy
15.45 Break
16.00 Panel Two: Financial Services and Professional Services
George Kanaan, CEO, Arab Bankers Association
Elias Chedid, SNR Denton/Chedid Law Offices
Alia Moubayed, BarCap
17.00 Networking and Wine-Tasting
18.30 Event Close
The event will consist of an opening plenary with addresses from key regional figures, two panels covering central commercial topics and issues, and finish with a wine-tasting sponsored by Clos St. Thomas, a leading Lebanese winery. Lebanon has a strong and well developed banking and finance sector along with a dominant private sector.
It is strategically located at the east end of the Mediterranean, connecting Europe and the Middle East. Its tax rates are welcoming to foreign investors, with maximum rates of 15% for companies and 20% for individuals. Lebanon also offers a developed and non-discriminatory legal framework, protecting private property and granting Lebanese and Non-Lebanese equal rights.
Lebanon has shown a steady increase in economic growth and trade over the past year, despite the Arab Spring. The economic forecast for 2012 to 2016 predicts further strong, stable growth across many sectors. UK visible exports to Lebanon were £398.9m in 2010, and latest figures for 2011 (Jan-Nov) indicate a 3% growth on 2010 figures.