‘Promotion of bilateral trade, economic cooperation are among my important tasks in Korea’

Question: Please introduce the Head of Government of your country in full, including his/her family and hobbies.

Answer: The president of the Republic the General Michel Aoun, is the current President of Lebanon. He was elected president on 31 October 2016. Married to Mrs. Nadia Al Chami, he has 3 daughters, Mireille, Claudine and Chantal. He enrolled in the military school in 1955 and graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Artillery corps in 1958. He was trained in Chalonssur-Marne in France between 1958 and 1959, and in USA Army Artillery and Missile School in 1966. He also did a Staff Session at the High War Institute in Paris in 1978-1980, and a session on maneuvers at Fort Benning in USA in 1983. He have received several honors and medals nationally and internationally and became a commander in Chief of the Lebanese Army in 1984. Many of his lectures were published such as “ my vision for Lebanon” in 2007. His hobbies are reading, gardening and walking.

Q: Please introduce the Government Minister in charge of economic cooperation and trade with Korea and other countries of the world.

A: The portfolio of cooperation with Korea and the world is held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Gebran Bassil. The Minister Bassil oversees the treaties and agreements on both bilateral and multinational levels. The Ministry of Trade and Economy in Lebanon is also in close coordination with MOFA to promote the Lebanese products and to open the Lebanese market for potential investors. As an appointed ambassador, I am working to bring Small and medium-sized Korean enterprises to Lebanon as big companies are already present in the market, like Samsung, Kia and Hyundai. My objective is to introduce Korean beauty companies to the Lebanese Market and increase the exchange of agricultural products like Olive oil, canned food, wines, kernels and fruits. Lebanese products are facing major obstacles because of the taxation. We have already sent several

drafts to MOFA regarding the agreement on dual taxation and the agreement on custom duties but it is unfortunately taking a lot of time. I wish to create a Korean Lebanese friendship association and appoint a Korean Honorary Consul. it is essential for Lebanon to have this network of friends in the absence of Lebanese in Korea. (there are about 15 Lebanese in Korea only). I am trying to get more Lebanese students in Korea as I believe that students can bridge the gap between the two countries. Lebanese universities are teaching Korean language and the presence of ROK battalion in the south of Lebanon is a key factor for promoting Korea in Lebanon. I do also hope I can promote Lebanon in Korea, so I am trying to encourage Korean tours to operate some campaigns to have Lebanon as a travel destination in a tour that can cover Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan. These tours can be also religious since the three lands represent a meaningful value for Christians. For example, Jesus’s first miracle turning water into wine took place in Cana in

Lebanon, Maria and joseph took refuge in Egypt and the Christ was baptized in Jordan. So I believe that this tour could be very attractive to Koreans.

Q: what are the areas in your country where you want Korean companies to invest in and what are the areas you wish your businessmen to invest in Korea?

A: Lebanon geography represents a bridge in the Middle East and the northern part of Lebanon is the gate for rebuilding Syria and irak. I invite Korean companies to visit Lebanon and evaluate all the potentials Lebanon can offer. It is worth to mention that Lebanon has a Free Economic Zone. (Please check the attached document regarding this FEZ). We have several companies that are concerned with investments. The easiest way for Koreans to invest in Lebanon, is to joint venture with the Lebanese companies in several field of trade, like in automobile, wineries infrastructure and power plant etc. Maliya group is open for this kind of ventures. Lebanon can mainly serve as a platform for rebuilding Syria and Iraq.

Q: what are the attractive tourist destinations in your country?

A: Lebanon can be visited in 7 days. The main tourist destinations are Baalbeck, the Roman temples. Jbeil or Byblos, the seaport of the Phoenicians and the city of the current alphabet. Tripoli, the Mamluk city, Beirut, the capital city that is characterized by its night life. Our mountains offer wonderful trails for hiking, such as the black peak, which is the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant, at 3,093 meters above sea level.

Conclusion: Lebanon is an attractive destination for investments in the regional Middle

Eastern markets. It is also a gate to build Syria and Irak.