Past Events

The traditional Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Economic Forum of the ABLCC, which has been organized for the 10th consecutive year on 30 November 2015 in BNP Paribas Fortis sumptuous premises, was once again a suitable place to meet and exchange on current issues without any taboos.

After a welcome note of Mr. Filip Dierckx, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board BNP Paribas Fortis, and Mr. Ghassan Ejjeh, Senior Vice President at Besix Group and board member of the ABLCC, H.E.M. Rami Mortada, Lebanese Ambassador to Belgium, took to the floor inviting us to grasp the reality behind this year’s theme “creating new opportunities through partnership”. “Because challenges are so numerous, it is really time to look for opportunities and see how to face these challenges together”.

H.E. Mr. Pieter de Crem, Belgian Minister of Foreign Trade and keynote speaker of the Economic Forum underlined the fact that “the Arab nations can and do play an important role in [Belgian] trade relations”. He added that “Belgian Economic Missions to the Arab World “showcase a high level of trust and help to strengthen the ties of friendship between our people, companies and leaders”.

The plenary session “The European Union – Arab World: Economic & Financial perspectives” provided the audience with an overview of new economic perspectives and was moderated by Mr. Fouad Trad, CEO at Byblos Bank Europe. The panelists included Mr. Nabil Jijakli, Deputy CEO at Credendo Group, who gave the audience a “World Economic and Geopolitical Outlook”; Mr. Philippe Gijssels, Chief Strategic Officer at BNP Paribas Fortis, who spoke about “the financial and economic risk in the Arab World”; Mr. Alain Verbeken, Tax Director at Deloitte Luxembourg, who introduced Luxembourg as “An attractive business ecosystem in the heart of Europe”; Mr. Sebastian Gerlach, Manager Business Development at Bahrein Economic Development Board, who made a presentation on “Bahrain - the financial services hub in the Gulf”.

The Forum ended with a question-answer session during which the potential impact of alternative energy cost competitiveness on oil prices was debated.

Last but not least, the participants had the opportunity to establish contacts during a networking cocktail, which brought the event to a close.