NNA - The Governor of Banque du Liban, Riyadh Salameh, stated that Lebanon is passing through a difficult situation, yet its standing is much better than surrounding countries, and the motion of the Lebanese people constitutes a leverage for the economic resilience that the country is now witnessing.


He stressed that social cohesion boosts national unity.



This statement came in a visual reportage displayed during the 3rd event to present the Social Economic Awards (SEA), organized by First Protocol in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon and Bank Audi, presented at Casino du Liban in presence of Ministers as well as media and business figures.


Salameh said "the initiatives of the private sector relate to the economic situation and results in the country. With the growth rates declining, even with the private sector's contribution, these growth rates are below what is needed for the economy's evolution. We see that banks are involved in different economic activities, and what we need is to transform CSR into an economic activity, that is dedicating a special unit that has a fixed budget, and avoid separate initiatives without organizing them under strong programs that can clearly show the footprint of these initiatives in the society. The budget for such programs must be well designed to address the real problems of the society. We must look at the CSR projects not as vital aid projects, but for their capacity to vitalize society at all levels especially arts and culture as well as sports."



Salameh noted that the BDL policy is based on increases in the banking sector, and the historical increase in assets at BDL has no value if it doesn't transform into a value that can benefit the Lebanese. We have today 96,000 housing loans, resulting from excess liquidity available at the central bank without any risk on the currency stability. We translated these capabilities into an initiative that brought help to the society, because it is very important for each Lebanese to own a home. BDL has also launched other projects, especially at the environmental level because we suffer from such problems; this is not an economic issue only, because having a sane environment can leverage the image of Lebanon and can mitigate health risks in the country."


He added "we turned our attention towards the alternative energy. Lebanon imports USD 6 billion dollars of fuel to generate power, which constitute a heavy price tag on every household. If we worked on alternatives to produce power, we save on each family's budget and the balance of payments. BDL has tried to align economic benefits and transform them to values that can benefit the Lebanese. We put some motivating programs covering several sectors, especially the ones related to knowledge based economy, which can provide work for our citizens even at home. We also eye balance in the market to preserve liquidity so not to transform those initiatives into currency problems."


Salameh explained that BDL made some initiatives sometimes outside its budget, especially Beirut Marathon and creating gardens.



"We are working with the European Investment Bank to have access to finance benefiting the healthcare sector. Our economy is based mostly on SMEs, and here depending on what will be the architecture of the economic sectors in the future, the role of the companies will be greater. We work on establishing capital markets so to enable family companies to turn into shareholding companies from equities and individuals, so to allow them to increase their capitals, and handle expensive projects but having a positive social impact," he added.



The SEA event that was presented by Anchorman George Kordahi was inaugurated by the National Anthem, followed by a video report about last year's edition. This was followed by a word of Strategy and PR at First Protocol, Violette Ghazal Balaa, who stressed that the 3rd edition of the SEA proved the presence of a lot of potential and problems as well.



She said: "We are in real need for solidarity and unity today, to bring back some dignity for the Lebanese who lost that in the light of the harsh conditions in this country, and to restore some values that distinguished Lebanon, a unique society that overcame all challenges, where the Phoenix Bird rose again after every downfall."


The General Manager of First Protocol, Maroun Balaa spoke about the difficulty of choosing winners, with a great number of them choosing to adopt CSR as an engine of improvement. He noted that international standards are evolving to produce "ISO 26000" to be in sync with the evolvement of society needs and the nation's image. The jury was very careful in selecting the winning entries.


It identified the programs that satisfied its standards and specific conditions in CSR concepts; this doesn't mean that it ignored entries deserving appreciation and acclaim.


The awards distribution was preceded by the honoring of the three figures. Former Minister Raymond Audi presented an honorary shield to the President of the Union of Arab Bankers Dr. Joseph Torbey, saying about him: "He was active and supported the public and private administration in the good and bad days. He took over many leadership positions in presiding banks and to the Association of Banks, and he was there for many terms and mandates, and he knew how to lead the sector within crisis times and take the sector to safety. He headed the Maronite League for two terms, striving for peace and reconciliation as a title to mobilize his community. For these achievements, he righteously earned the title of Man of the Year."


Torbey said that the banking sector is a key element in Lebanon's stability, and it helped the country to stay unscathed during various crises that hit Lebanon since 1975. The Arab Banking sector is rich with liquidity, but the importance of the banking industry is its ability to work in rough times and its liquidity is the highest amongst economic sectors.
The former Minister Leila Solh presented an honorary shield and bestowed the "SR Personality" title on Roger Nasnas, the Chairman of the socioeconomic council, as Solh puts it: "He was always giving as it was the first day. He is the best ambassador for Lebanon in Arab and international councils. In the Greek Catholic Association he made a revolution with his special care and enlightening directives."


Roger Nasnas said: "Lebanon is the country of challenges and Lebanese are famous for surpassing obstacles and for being resilient. Development strengthens the sense of belonging to Lebanon."
Al Solh presented a shield for the Lebanese figure of advertising and media, Joseph Ghossoub, who earned the title of "Global Lebanese Personality". About Ghossoub, the former minister Solh said: "His personality was marked deeply by his country Lebanon, so he would later influence his country with his professional life and consequently, they would be forever married. Exceptionally successful in his career, he was always mobilizing support for the Lebanese in the diaspora. He is a distinct figure from Lebanon, who managed to transform the advertising scene into a promotion to Lebanon, a homeland and a people."


After a reportage about the Jury, awards were presented as follows:
- MEA Airlines, for the National Image category. Its award was received on behalf of its chairman Mohammed el Hout, by member of the board Maitre Michel Tueini from the Minister of transport and public works, Ghazi Aridi
- SGBL, for the category of Social Inclusion. The award was handed to Marketing and Strategy Director Joumana Hatem & Vice President of NGO "Oum El Nour" Gabriel Debbane, from former Minister Salim Sayegh.
- Institute of Industrial Research (IRI) in the category of Public sector distinction, the award being given to his Chairman Dr. Bassam Frenn by MP Yassin Jaber.
- Franchising Association (LFA) for the Institution Distinction category, the award was received by the President of the association, Charles Arbid from former Minister Jean Ogassapian.
- ClinServ for the Innovation category, which award was granted to Dr. Nadia Cheaib, the Director of ClinGroup Holding from Minister of Environment Nazem el Khoury.
- Fransabank for the Art & Heritage category. The award was received by Dania Kassar, the Head of marketing & Communication from former Minister Ziad Baroud
- Tagbrands received its award for the SME category for Beirut Design Week, the award was handed to Maya Karanouh and Dorine Totikian by Mohamed Choucair, the President of Beirut Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- BBAC for the rural development category, the award was handed to its Chairman Sheikh Ghassan Assaf by Minister Vreij Sabounjian.
- Anchorwoman Rebecca Abou Nader for the Social Impact category who received her award from Minister Walid Daouk.
- Haigazian University for the Youth empowerment category. The award was handed to the Dean of its economy faculty Dr. Fadi Asrawi from Professor Naim Ouaini.
- Designer Zeina Saliby for the Women empowerment category, she received her award from former Minister Mohammed Rahhal.



The Jury which handled the management of entries and results was formed of Professor Naim Ouaini, the President of the Lebanese Association for Science Advancement, Dr. Ghassan Hasbani Telecommunication & Technology Expert, Strategy consultant Dr. Salim Hajje, Banking and Finance Consultant, Dr. Tony Choueiri.



The event included an astonishing performance for the Irish Singer Diane O'Sullivan and the Sami El Hajj Band.


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