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LARP II Delegates with His Excellency the President of Lebanon General Michel Sleiman

LARP II Delegates With Governor Riad Salameh of the Central Bank of Lebanon

LARP I Delegates with Minister Haddad Representing the Prime Minister of Lebanon
LARP II

Remarks by Salim Zeenni, President of AmCham
Open Ceremony, Beirut, Lebanon - Friday, November 12, 2009

Good morning ladies and gentleman.  I would like to welcome you all here today. I want to offer a special welcome to the participants in the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership who have come from the United States to Lebanon to show solidarity with those of us in Lebanon who are committed to the richness and dynamism of the Lebanese-American relationship. It is a relationship that is historic, long lasting, deep in culture, broad in geography, and full of powerful stories of success – both for the U.S. and for Lebanon. 

However, it is a relationship that needs constant nurturing and strengthening. The world we all live in is full of challenges pulling us in different directions.  In the face of these pressures, the idea of a renaissance in U.S. Lebanese ties is on the mark.  And the idea of working together to achieve this goal is also on the mark.  That is why it is so important that we not carelessly fall into the habit of “talking in acronyms” – like “LARP” for instance, and lose sight of what those four letters – L-A-R-P -- really mean:  a partnership between two deeply entwined groups of individuals with the common purpose of reinvigorating those ties for the benefit of both.

It is an honor for the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce to collaborate with the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership throughout the year, and especially during its annual visit to Lebanon. The work we are doing together builds on the historic ties we all cherish. The Lebanese Diaspora around the world, and particularly in the United States, has a wealth of experiences and talents that help to enrich our bilateral ties.  We acknowledge and honor these. At the same time, we are all here today to ensure that we leave no stone unturned in identifying even more ways in which to cooperate for the good of both Lebanon and the United States.

As the chairman of the board of St Jude’s Hospital in Lebanon, I can sincerely say that the LARP initiative has already started to make a change.  During the first LARP conference, St Jude’s Hospital in Beirut received a generous award for its work to treat and cure children with cancer.  The choice of St Jude’s for such a gift by LARP reflects perhaps the most powerful and enduring example of the strength of the Lebanese-American relationship.  On behalf of all who work with St Jude’s in Beirut, I want to publicly thank the LARP members for their generosity – both in spirit and in funds.

The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce has had a busy agenda in the two years following the war of 2006.  We ask LARP to join us in pressing forward our agenda to strengthen US-Lebanese ties. 

  • Just one month from now, here in Beirut, the Made in America trade show will return to the scene with as much vigor and dynamism as it had demonstrated in the years up to 2005. AmCham is working closely with the US Embassy and the private sector here to ensure this show’s success.  If you have bought an “open ticket” to come to Beirut this year, I would invite you to change your travel plans and stay in Lebanon to participate in the trade show.  We can ensure that your calendar in the intervening month is filled with enjoyable and profitable activities.
  • AmCham has advocated with the Lebanese government on several economic reform issues aiming to increase the competitiveness of Lebanon in world markets, and more specifically gain access to the World Trade Organization. This issue will be spotlighted during the conference program of the Made in America trade show – another reason to extend your stay in Beirut.
  • In conjunction with Amideast and USAID, AmCham launched a successful media campaign to highlight the dangers and the downside of abusing intellectual property rights.  The campaign focused on both pharmaceuticals and entertainment media.  There is a long way to go, and we invite LARP to help move the argument forward.
  • AmCham is developing a code of ethics for its members that emerged from its campaign to improve corporate governance and better business practices. The Chamber is also gearing up to engage its members on the subject of corporate social responsibility.  Here again, there is a long way to go and your experiences in the United States will be helpful to us all.

You’ve all heard the saying:  “This is the best of times; this is the worst of times”.  Well, here in Lebanon, there is some truth to it.  The talent, dynamism and goal orientation of the Lebanese is a worldwide reputation.  At the same time, we are faced with some market uncertainties that can have the effect of slowing down investment and progress.  Together the American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and the Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership want to highlight the positive, and build on Lebanese talents – whether here or in the US – for the benefit of all of us.

Enjoy your stay in Beirut.  You are all most welcome.
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