The Nadwa Hosts the 5th Conference of Arab Business Community

Upon the invitation of the the Lebanese Economic Forum (FORUM), the Federation of Arab Businessmen held its Fifth Conference in Beirut during the Period 09-11 May, 2001. The Conference was under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Lebanese Republic, General emile Lahoud. The Two Guests of Honor were H.E.Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and H.E, The Prime Minister of Jordan, Ing Ali Abu Ragheb, whoc due to urgent international committments coud not participate in person and delegated the Minister of Trade and Industry. H.E. Mr. Wassef Azar.

Leading International and Regional Organizations were represented; namely, UNIDO, UN-ESCWA, The League of

Arab States, The Arab Investment Guarantee Organization, The Arab center for Communication anf International Relations.

500 businessmen from 10 arab countries participated.

Liberalizing the conomies, reducing the taiffs, cutting the red tape and speeding up of the creation of Arab Free zones were major issues dealt with.

The second day of the Conference was consecrated to Investment Opportunities in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministers of Finance, Economy and Trade, Public Works and Transport each gave a presentation on investment

opportunities in their fields of competence. The Governor of the Central Bank, Mr, Riad Salameh, gave a presentation on the monetary policy of Lebanon; while Dr. Kamal Hayek, President of t the Investment Authority of Lebanon expouinded the investment laws and investment incentives in Lebanon.

Participants concluded their conference with a fact-finding tour of the South's investment opportunities. The tour was hoisted by Deputy Mrs. Bahia Hariri.

The 500 participants issued a list of 14 recommendationsto bolster inter-Arab trade, catch up with technological advances an speed up the formation of Arab countries into regional blocs.

The Delegation of the Foum was headed by President Wajih Bizri. The Delegation of the Arab Businessmen Federation was chaired by H.E. Mr. Hamdiu Tabbah.

An Investment and Businedd Exhibition was organized on the occasion.

The coordinator of the organizing committee was Forum Board Member, Mr. Rafic Zantout.