Opportunities in Lebanon - 2007 :: Exhibition Registration

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES
IN LEBANON
YEAR 5

September 10-11 2007 from 3:00 till 8:00
@ Dbayeh Convention Center

September 10

Time Zone: 5:00 pm

Room A

On the road to economic recovery

	H.E. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora
	State of the Economy
	H.E. Jihad Azour, the Minister of Finance
	The role of the public sector: A vision for the future
	Demba Ba, Country Manager, The World Bank Social protection programs
	Julia Brickell, Country Officer, IFC
	Recovery for the private sector
	Raouf Youssef, Mission Director, USAID Partnership for Lebanon

Economic recovery has been a national priority since the end of the last summer’s war. A national recovery plan was proposed at the Paris III conference and donors have started to channel some of the $7.6 billion promised to the public and private sector. During this session, various decision makers will take stock of what has been achieved and what is in store in the months to come

September 11

Time Zone: 5:00 pm

Room A

Opportunties in the telecom sector

Moderator
	Nabih Maroun - Booz Allen Hamilton

Presentations
	Ziad Hayek - Higher Council of Privatization
	Imad Hoballah - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
	Fadi Moubarak - Cisco

The telecom sector is about to be deregulated. How will it unfold, and what opportunities will it open to the private sector? The main actors in this endeavor will share their plans and outlook, together with input from the private sector

Room B

Labor: Problem Solving

Moderator
	Roger Nasnas - Economic and Social Council

Presentations
	Jennifer Abu-Mrad - InfoPro Research
	Nada Al-Nashif - International Labour Office
	Ghassan Ghosn - CGTL
	Camille Menassa - RDCL

Labor issues have been sidelined by national consciousness for too long. It needs a total overhaul and better collaboration between employers and employees. The war last summer has exacerbated the problems. This workshop will outline the main issues and get the feedback of representatives of labor and management, as well as best practice from the ILO

Room C

Expanding outside Lebanon

Moderator
	Mounir Douaidy - Solidere

Presentation
	Chadia El Meouchi - Badri & Salim El Meouchi Law Firm

Case Studies
	Saad Azhari - BLOM Bank
	Talal Makdessi - THG The Holding Group
	Robert Fadel - ABC

Is the local market too small for your ambitions? Many companies are now setting up businesses outside the national border. This workshop will demonstrate what it takes to be as successful in foreign markets as inside the country

Room D

Real Estate: Developing for the local market

Presentations
	Georges Abou Jaoude - FFA Private Bank
	Joe Kanaan - Sodeco Gestion
	Victor Najjarian - Care Group

After growing to attract non-resident buyers, the real estate sector is now also catering to local buyers. During this workshop, customer preferences, and developer activities will be exposed, as well as innovative financial platforms to invest in real estate projects

Time Zone: 6:30 pm

Room A

WTO: Getting ready

Presentations
	Jennifer Abu-Mrad - InfoPro Research
	Ziad Abdel Samad - ANND
	Mohsen Helal - Escwa
	Henry Hafez - Federation of Chambers of Commerce Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon

All the trade routes lead to the World Trade Organization. But are we ready? Are Lebanese companies aware of what’s at stake? What are the implications of WTO on the economy and what is the social impact of accession to WTO?

Room B

Human development challenges

Moderator
	Riad Dimechkie - AUB

Presentations
	Rana Salhab - Deloitte & Touche

Case Studies
	Jacqueline Moukheiber - Bank Audi - Audi Saradar Group
	Nicole Bakhache - Algorithm

One of the main issues facing companies is retaining its workforce, especially those lured by job offers in the Gulf and beyond. This workshop will look at best practice methods with case studies from leading companies

Room C

Franchising your business

Moderator
	Charles Arbid - Lebanese Franchise Association

Presentations
	Nicolas Faure - Consultant
	Karim Torbey - Henry Torbey Office

Case Studies
	Anthony Maalouf - Casper and Gambini's
	Dany Bachir - Rectangle Jaune

Many companies have demonstrated successful business models that other entrepreneurs can take part of. This workshop will explain what it takes for a franchise to be successful, both for franchisors and franchisees

Room D

Financing your development

Moderator
	Edgard Joujou - KPMG

Presentations
	Marwan Salem - FFA Private Bank
	Nagy Rizk - The Bader Building Block Fund
	Maroun Chammas - Berytech

Financing startups and growth companies is essential to economic recovery. What are the options available for equity finance? What level of debt is optimal? How to convince financiers to put their money in bright ideas or successful companies?