The reconstruction of Lebanon’s headquarters was completed in record time, reaffirming CMA CGM’s commitment to Lebanon.
The CMA CGM Group reopened its Lebanon headquarters in the presence of H.E. Mr. Najib Mikati, President of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, H.E. Dr. Saadé Chami, Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Ali Hamieh, Minister of Public Works & Transport, H.E. Mr. Amin Salam, Minister of Economy and Trade, H.E. Anne Grillo, French ambassador to Lebanon alongside the presidents of key economic associations, the Group’s clients, partners and Lebanon staff members.
During his speech, Mr. Rodolphe Saadé has confirmed his support to the Lebanese economy and industry. He highlighted the Group’s recent projects in Lebanon:
– The CEVA Logistics’ Lebanon Packing House, a state of the art facility, based in the Beqaa and which nurtures Lebanese agriculture through a world class service, aiming to facilitate the export of crops to European markets, hence enabling the development of Lebanese agricultural products – both locally and internationally
– Investment in Rifai with the expansion of the Lebanese know-how internationally
CMA CGM standing by Lebanon and its people with the creation of 1,100 jobs by the end of 2022
– Opening of the first Global Business Center in the region to cater for Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe
– Expansion of The Hub digital center with the development of new professions, aiming to create a unified digital vision for the Group. Today, the team includes experts from different digital fields such as blockchain and data engineering, and is expanding with the recruitment of data scientists and cloud engineers amongst other professions.
Today, the human capital of the Group in Lebanon includes 900 staff members versus 250 in 2019, with an objective of increasing our human capital with 450 additional recruits by the end of 2022.
Rodolphe Saade has also insisted on the major role of the Foundation in Lebanon and its support to the Lebanese community:
Since October 2019, more than 4,000 tons of humanitarian aid have been transported to Beirut on a complimentary basis as part of its “Containers of Hope” program, to be by the side of more than 30 Lebanese NGOs and hospitals. In addition, the Foundation will cover the tuition fees of 1,000 school students to secure the continuity of their education in Lebanon. Furthermore, we will finance the tuition fees for 20 students per year for the coming 10 years to pursue their studies at HEC Paris.
Moreover, Rodolphe Saadé has declared his determination to participate in the new tender of the container terminal concession expected to be launched by the end of this week. He has also reiterated his willingness to take part in the reconstruction of the port of Beirut.
The CMA CGM Group continues to expand internationally, while being a family group, proudly attached to its Lebanese roots.