Mission to Lebanon

Mission to Lebanon: 19th to 26th February 2009

The Belgian Lebanese Business Council led a mission to Lebanon from 19th to 26th February 2009 for the BLBC members to create new opportunities and to consolidate their existing relations.

BLBC cooperated and participated with the MED INVEST 2009 Forum, which was held on the 20th and 21st February, at the Intercontinental Phoenicia Hotel.

The aim was to group political figures, business leaders and policy makers from the Arab world, the Middle East  and Europe.

The agenda covered a conference with esteemed guest speakers, followed by Business to Business meetings between the participants on the 21st February.

From the 22nd through to the 25th February, the BLBC cooperated with Flanders Investment and Trade (F.I.T) as well as with Brussels Exports. The mission of this economic forum enhanced Belgian Businesses with opportunities in Lebanon.

The agenda included Business to Business meetings between Belgian and Lebanese companies on the 23rd February, followed by a reception at the Belgian Ambassador’s Residence. The 24th February consisted of business to business meetings followed by a dinner organized by the BLBC President, Mr. Hikmat Nasser at the Phoenicia Hotel’s Eau De Vie restaurant.  Thus, allowing for a great opportunity for the many business associates to get together.

On the evening of the 25th February, Dr. Francois Bassil, President of Byblos Bank Group in Lebanon and President of the Lebanese Banks Association hosted a dinner reception at the Le Maillon restaurant, in honor of the Members of BLBC and the participant companies of F.I.T and Brussels Export.

BLBC Dinner at the Phoenicia Hotel’s Eau De Vie restaurant

BLBC President, Mr. Hikmat Nasser hosted a dinner at the Phoenicia Hotel’s Eau De Vie restaurant. The dinner was in honor of distinguished Lebanese Ministers, Members of Parliament, prominent CEOs and owners of Lebanese companies, BLBC members and participating Belgian companies from the Flanders Investment and Trade (F.I.T) and  Brussels Export.

The evening commenced with BLBC President, Mr. Hikmat Nasser’s welcome speech and introduction of the Guest Speaker of the evening,

H.E Mr. Yassine Jaber , the Former Minister of Economy and Trade; who addressed the guests and members of the evening with his inspiring speech about the positive economic aspects in Lebanon and congratulated the Belgian Embassy, the BLBC, and the participating Belgian companies for their cooperation in this economic Mission to Lebanon.

BLBC Meeting To Revive Direct Flights Between Brussels & Beirut

On Monday 23rd of February 2009; BLBC President,  Mr. Hikmat Nasser and Brussels Airport Mangers of Airline Business Development, Mr. Didier Duponselle and Mr. Geert Van Dessel had a meeting with Head of the Commercial Department of the Middle East Airlines (MEA) , Mr. Nizar Khoury.

The meeting was held in Beirut, at the Rafic Hariri Airport. The aim was to explore the possibilities of reviving direct flight routes between Brussels and Beirut.

Mr. Khoury, discussed aspects of the well prepared report by Brussels Airport consisting of the feasibility study of restarting the flight route.

Following this important meeting, it was concluded with Mr. Khoury commenting that exploring the possibilities of direct MEA flights between Brussels and Beirut will be amongst their top priorities in their near future agenda.

Leisure & Tourism

On two free days between the scheduled BLBC activities, the BLBC Board managed to arrange some Leisure and Tourism Programs for its members.

BLBC members enjoyed a half day’s tour of Brummana and Beit Mary on the first free day and a full day’s tour of Baalbeck on the second day.