At the annual general meeting held by the General Assembly of the “International Chamber of Shipping of Beirut” (Chambre Internationale de Navigation de Beyrouth) in the presence of the Chamber Legal Consultant Me. Alexandre Najjar, Financial Auditor Mr. Walid Omari and 34 of 41 of its members. The Chamber elected a new Board of Directors composed of:
– Elie Zakhour – President – representing United Middle East Shipping Co Sarl. (UNISHIP).
– Samir Moukawam – Vice-President – representing Sealine Shipping Agency.
– Abdul Hamid El Fil- Vice-President- representing El Fil Shipping sal.
– Mohammad Itani – General Secretary – representing Gezairi Transport Sal.
– Andre Abou Hamad – Treasurer – representing Transoffice G. Abou Hamad.
– Antoine Chemali – Member – representing Tourism & Shipping Services sarl.
– Mohammad Fakhreddine – Member – representing MSC (Lebanon) Sarl.
– Kamal Cherfan – Member – representing Eurabia Intercont Ltd.
– Raed Baconi – Member – representing National Maritime Services sarl.
Addressing the members, Mr. Zakhour gave an account of the steps taken by the Chamber with view to protecting the interests of its members, and among others, he pointed out that the Chamber stands against an unconditional adhesion of Lebanon to the (WTO), and that the Chamber has made the Minister of Economy & Trade Dr. Alain Hakim aware of the prejudice that such an adhesion would cause the Lebanese Shipping Agents. He added that Minister Hakim was supportive of the Chamber’s position, and did relay its concerns to WTO’s representative during the latter recent visit to Lebanon.