Report on the “Cyprus in Lebanon” Exhibition

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Beirut

24-26 November, 2005

 

With the support of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, the International Business Alliance Group (IBAG), in collaboration with My Fair Public Relations launched the first edition of “Cyprus in Lebanon ” , a Cypriot commercial products and services exhibition.  The event is a first step in engendering stronger ties and mutually beneficial trade relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, as well as acting as a gateway for building more fruitful Cypriot-Arab relations.

 

The Opening:

The Exhibition was inaugurated at 16:00 on the 24th of November by H.E. Mr. Joe Sarkis, the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Mr. Nicos Panay the Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon. In addition, a number of prominent personalities attended the opening ceremony, including Mr. Faysal Masri representing H.E. Mr. John Oghasepian, the Minister of Administrative Reform, Mr. Fadi Abboud, the President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Mr. Nabil Itani, the President of Investment Development Authority of Lebanon  and a number of Lebanese and Cypriot businessmen. In his opening speech, H.E. the Cypriot Ambassador welcomed participants and visitors, commended the organizers for their initiative and stressed the importance of the Lebanese-Cypriot relationship. He also announced that the Cypriot Government is planning to establish a Trade Relations Office in Beirut, which would foster stronger trade relations between the two countries.

 

Why "Cyprus in Lebanon"?

Cyprus that enjoys a unique geographical location in the Mediterranean Sea and in proximity to many Arab countries has developed into an important trading hub in the region. Cyprus’s accession to the European Union signifies a new era of economic growth and further development of trade relations with both the EU and Arab nations. Cyprus is thus destined to play a crucial role as a bridge between the two. Lebanon with the proximity to Cyprus, is the natural entry point of the EU into the Middle East.

 

Cyprus in Lebanon presented Cypriot businessmen with an exceptional opportunity and an unbeatable venue to promote their products and services in unexploited, growing markets in their proximity.  Exhibitors met Arab businessmen, government officials, and professionals of the highest caliber, all with keen interest to trade with Cyprus. The event was tailored to highlight Cyprus as a potential major commercial and tourist center for the Middle East. 

 

Participants in the event included companies in the sectors of:

•            Real Estate Development

•            Educational and Vocational Learning Institutions

•            Manufacturers of Calibration and Testing Equipment

•            Manufacturers of Gases and Related Materials

•            Business and Legal Consultancy

•            Shipping, Handling and Courier Services

•            Business Development, Marketing and Advertising

 

in addition to the participation of The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Cyprus and Cyprus Airways, the official carrier of the event. The event was a rewarding experience for participating institutions, which all stand to benefit from nurturing the trade relations between Cyprus and Lebanon. 

 

Cyprus in Lebanon was attended by a select group of traders, businessmen and investors from Lebanon and the region, thus, offering possibilities for collaboration beyond Lebanon.  The limited number of important companies representing different sectors in industry and services, which participated in this first edition of "Cyprus in Lebanon" has allowed the organizers to focus on each participant, which led to tangible and practical results from this Event. Thus, the organizers have arranged bilateral meetings for participating companies with their Lebanese counterparts or other interested parties. These meetings offered business people from the two countries and beyond, the opportunity to meet and discuss new ways and methods for increased cooperation covering existing and new fields of economic activity; useful ideas were exchanged that will eventually lead to mutually beneficial results. The organization of events like ‘Cyprus in Lebanon’ is of particular importance, especially in today’s integrated and enlarged business environment

 

The Media Coverage:

 As, expected the exhibition, enjoyed a wide media coverage. The Exhibition was featured in the news before and during the event, thereby bringing the Cypriot vibrant economy into the spotlight. Samples of Media coverage items have been included in this report. The media coverage helped present the event to the Lebanese public and business community and resulted in a large number of visitors to the event.