Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Saad Hariri and in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, FIATA hosted its RAME (region of Africa and Middle East) in Beirut from 24th to 26th June, 2019, in the presence of governmental, diplomatic and political personalities, as well as freight forwarding and logistics companies from the whole Middle Eastern and African region. It is the first time FIATA hosted its regional conference in Lebanon, showing the strategic importance of the country in the international trade and logistics. 

The conference invited international and local speakers to discuss and debate on the logistics and freight forwarding business, the digitalization the future of smart shipping, and the influence of super powers on the business, especially the Belt and Road Initiative by the Chinese government. 

Fransabank Group, as the first bank in the region to establish a China Desk, was chosen as the partner by FIATA to host the Belt and Road Initiative Panel on 24th June, the first day of the conference. Nadine Hajjar, Advisor to Fransabank Group Chairman Kassar, as moderator of this Panel, invited important speakers from prominent organizations and from both Chinese and Lebanese governments to share their insight of BRI on the logistics and international trade.  Speakers included Mrs. LI Jing, Commercial Councilor from the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, Mr. XU Liang, Deputy Director General from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. Dany Gedeon, Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Industry and Mr. Abdelghani Kabbara, Advisor to prime minister Hariri for Northern Affairs. 

In his speech, Mr. XU Liang from CCPIT introduced China’s Visionary Belt & Road Initiatives and its link to Lebanon and the region. As the largest chamber of commerce in China, CCPIT will launch its representative office in Beirut this year, showing the country’s significance on the China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

Mr. Dany Gedeon,  Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Industry, introduced Lebanon's industrial zones program and Dry Port in Bekaa, as one of the main attractions for Chinese investors in Lebanon. 

Mr. Abdelghani Kabbara, Advisor to Prime Minister Hariri for Northern Affairs shared in his speech his insights on Lebanon’s role on Belt and Road Initiative. 

The panel was concluded successfully with the summary speech from Mrs. LI Jing, Commercial Councilor from the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, on Belt and Road Cooperation between China and Lebanon, especially in the logistics sector. 

End of Press Release