Lebanon Chamber

Interview with Mohamed Choucair, President of the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon

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What are major advantages of Lebanon for international companies establishing their headquarters in Lebanon?

Lebanon has always hosted the headquarters of international corporations working in the Middle-East region. This movement of course stopped during the Lebanese turmoil from 1975 to 1990; it resumed for some countries in the middle 90’s and for all since 2000. The establishment of foreign companies is much accelerating since the new government of Mr. Saad el Hariri took office. One of the two reasons hindering the establishment of companies, the local political agreement, is overtaken; the second, the Israeli threat, restrained by friendly countries, namely the United States and the European Union.

The reasons that attract foreign companies in Lebanon are many. We can cite:

–    Cosmopolitan civilization in which foreigners can identify and feel at home;
–    The presence of trained and capable human resources in most areas of management, finance and trade;
–    A good infrastructure for communication and telecommunication;
–    The availability of capital and the possibility of doing from Lebanon international financial arrangements;
–    Last but not least a temperate climate, pleasant all year.

What is the role of the chamber in enhancing the private, commercial and industrial sectors?

“The chamber is the voice of the private sector with

the government. As such it undertakes the fieldwork

and directs the public policies.”

This work is generally organized with other Lebanese chambers in the Lebanese Federation of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Chambers; as well as with other economic organizations.
The CCIA of Beirut & Mount-Lebanon is the focal point for the economic cooperation between all the stakeholders, and constantly endeavor to achieve a stronger governance through the public – private relationship.

How has the global economic downturn impacted your members and number of new members?

As a matter of fact Lebanon emerged unscathed from the international economic crisis. Real economic growth reached 9.5% in year 2009. There was no reason for any negative impact on the Chamber or its membership base.
With the new team in office since February 2010 many projects are running, some relating to Business Development Services, and others to the investment climate in the country. All this must reflect positively on the Chamber and the structure of its membership.

How do you envisage the role of the private sector in stimulating economic development? What are the main challenges?

The Lebanese economy is since ever based on the private sector initiative and mainly the entrepreneurship qualities of its population. However the evolution of the global economy and the progress of economic freedom, rather require better regulation to allow competition better play its role.

On the other hand the modern economy requires a constant adaptation of countries to change, and the production facilities inside the country to new conditions. The Chamber is well positioned to sense new trends and help companies adapt.

In your opinion how much of FDI has the chamber been able to attract over the past year?

It is difficult to evaluate how many FDI the Chamber attracted and/or will attract in future; however we can assess the contribution of the Chamber in attracting Foreign Direct Investment .

–    The Chamber is generally the first stop shop of the investors; and we are reorganizing in a way to give the best service/s for FDI;

–    The delegations that come to the country to explore the possibilities of investment, call first on the Chamber;

–    The Chamber is listening to the investors and is constantly proposing initiatives to improve the investment climate in the country ;

The Chamber plays an important role in promoting FDIs, however it is primarily a matter of cooperation between the government and the private sector, where governance plays the major role. 

Chamber’s short, mid and long term strategy?

The Chambers strategy is illustrated in the Program of the new elected board, and it is articulated for the short term around three major axes:

–    Develop a Members Relationship Management tool to be the nearest possible of the entrepreneurs, and undertake work of investigation and research to better understand the needs;

–    Modernize the Chamber, create the e-chamber (under implementation), restructure the organization, enhance the Business Development Services;

–    Rationalize the business climate and contribute to simplify the routine in the Chamber and other administrations.

On midterm many projects are under scrutiny in the BDS, vocational training, Credit Guarantee Funds, etc 
On the long run a structural research is being undertaken in relation to the vision and the mission of the Chamber in modern business environment. 

What can other chambers of commerce learn from you?

We do not think that other chambers need to learn from us. We think that chambers progress all together through cooperation and common objectives. The major task is to better adapt to the market and better serve the business community.