The President and Club members in Lebanon 

From 7 till 15 March Przemysław Skrzypek, the President of PACEC (the Polish-Arabic Cultural and Economical Club), together with a few members of the Club stayed in Lebanon. The relatively small economic exchange between Poland and Lebanon is of considerable potential for growth. Discussions with company representatives and political decision makers were conducted on the subject of the possibility to develop trade and also on issues connected with enhancing tourism and pilgrimage flow.

Lebanon is a gateway which allows Polish products to enter Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other states in the region. Apart from the FMCG and agricultural sector discussion were made about potential cooperation i.a. in the area of energy and telecommunications.

Meeting with the President of Lebanon

On Monday 12 March the Club President and selected representatives of PACEC (Polish-Arabic Cultural and Economical Club) met with the President of Lebanon, general Michel Aoun. In the meeting participated also Paweł Skutecki, deputy and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue.

Apart from economic subjects also difficulties of Lebanon due to the flow of a large number of refugees were discussed. President Aoun underlined also memory of Lebanese men regarding John Paul II pilgrimage to Lebanon in 1997. Almost half of citizens of the state belongs to Christian churches.

Other meetings

During official meetings present were also deputy Mohammad Raad, the leader of the parliamentary fraction Hezbollah, Salim Jean Jreissati, the Minister of Justice, cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai. Discussions with Joelle Abou Farhat Rizkallah, the head of  the organisation Women in Front, were conducted on the increase of women participation in Lebanon authorities.  The Club representatives visited also the Polish Embassy in Beirut.

In order to enhance economic exchange it is important that direct flights between Warsaw and Beirut are resumed. For that purpose a meeting was held with Sayed Kambarji, Polish Arlines LOT representative in Lebanon. One of the last meetings was a visit in a governmental agency for international cooperation.