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(Optional) The Quarterly Newsletter of the Southern African Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, with news of networking events and other membership benefits.
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SALCOC Newsletter - August 2021 |
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Personal Letter from H.E. Kabalan Frangieh - Ambassador of Lebanon to South Africa
Update on Lebanon and the economy
The fourth of August bears a painful memory for all the Lebanese, a year has passed since the Beirut port explosion, which was classified as the third most powerful explosion in the world, and its image is still stuck in our minds so hard to erase. The families of the victims are still seeking justice to soothe their pain and mend some of their wounds.
The whole world, like all the Lebanese, has not forgotten the shock that reverberates until today. Messages of support and sympathy continue to pour in. Several international and Arab celebrities have recently visited Lebanon to commemorate the victims and to express solidarity with their families, perhaps the most prominent is the Brazilian international football star Ronaldinho.
Beirut, whose port ranked 73rd in the world, 10th among Mediterranean ports, and 9th among Arab ports, according to UNCTAD's 2019 “maritime connectivity indicator”, is intractable to refraction, and knows only strength and beauty. Lebanon is a beacon of coexistence and resilience; it is a living proof of how capable the Lebanese are of overcoming hardship.
The difficult economic crisis continues to cast a heavy shadow over Lebanon, waiting to lay the foundation for a non-rentier productive economic system that calls for attracting investments in sectors that constitute a structural stimulus to the economy namely the Agricultural and Industrial sectors, which in turn will contribute to enhancing the tourism, services, and banking sectors. This would create an opportunity for Lebanese expats to cohere with their Lebanese roots to help their homeland survive and contribute to Economic recovery.
Former Prime Minister Mr. Najib Mikati has recently been tasked with forming a government, which will give a positive impetus to the launch of the plan for economic recovery and to the restoration of confidence in Lebanon.
Despite the difficult reality imposed by the significant devaluation of the lira in Lebanon, it has been a major attraction for expats from abroad now that the country has become more affordable for tourism. This is evident in the influx of travelers to Lebanon, as the average of arrivals to Beirut International Airport has reached about 600,000 passengers per month over the past three months.
The devaluation also provided an opportunity to buy Lebanese products at lower costs, particularly food industrial products. A list of industrial food products ready to import from Lebanon was posted on SALCOC website.
The Embassy and SALCOC have supported, during the last year, many Lebanese owned companies, in the Industrial and architectural fields, construction materials, food industrial products, fuel oil, and even fashion, in finding markets and in establishing cooperation and partnership with southern African companies. SALCOC executive board has been instrumental in guiding the process, and many thanks for the efforts Garth Towell and the entire SALCOC team who were instrumental in assisting these companies.
Amidst everything that is going on, the third wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic haven’t reached Lebanon, the measures taken by the Lebanese health authorities have so far been efficient in limiting the impact of the pandemic. Sadly, the third wave had a very harsh impact on the Lebanese communities in this region, mainly in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, and Namibia, and has cost us friends and loved ones. To their families I extend my sincere condolences, and I pray for the ones still fighting this virus, and to everyone else to stay safe.
It is a difficult stage we are going through but limiting the spread of the virus is a collective responsibility and duty, and together we can contain it by adhering to continuous protective measures and by remaining vigilant and careful.
Kabalan Frangieh
Ambassador of Lebanon to South Africa.
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World Markets UpdateBy Mark Kalil USA equities continue to lead global markets higher into 2nd half of 2021, lead by strong corporate earnings and record-low real yields on US Treasuries. New pricing highs remain the talk of Wall Street with record-setting performances on the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, S&P500 and the FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index.
This financial summary outlines the equity performances from the USA and South Africa in the 2nd Quarter (and including July 2021).
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HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY
(9th August – South African holiday)
SALCOC would like to wish a Happy Women’s Day
to all the wonderful women out there.
UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Join us as we explore South Africa's political
landscape with JP LandmanPLEASE NOTE:
This event is only open to SALCOC members and their invited guests. Date: 7 October 2021
Time: 7.30am
Venue: Randpark Golf Club About JP Landman: JP Landman is a self-employed political and trend analyst. His focus areas are trends in politics, economics, social capital and the interplay of demographics and economic growth. JP is a popular speaker and enjoys consistently good ratings.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Save-The-Date: October 2021 - South African
Sports & Entertainment Speaker
Further details to follow.
RECENT EVENTS |
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The Embassy of Lebanon Southern African-Lebanese Open Golf Championship 2021This was held on Friday 7th May 2021 at Randpark Golf Course. SALCOC was honoured to be able to organise this golf event for the Embassy of Lebanon – South Africa. Around 90 members of our community competed in this Championship. The golf day was followed by a seated dinner and prize giving, where H.E. Kabalan Frangieh, the Ambassor of Lebanon to South Africa addressed the guests, motivating them and thanking them for their enthusiasm and strength of community. The golf results were as follows: A Division: 1st Dean Bakos, 2nd George Smith, 3rd Robert Raad B Division: 1st Mark Kalil, 2nd Anthony Joseph, 3rd Arthur Deeb C Division: 1st Ronald Farrar, 2nd Garth Towell, 3rd Vincent Kairuz Alliance Fourball: G. Karam, G. Diab, A. Kelly, J. Essey Follow @sa_lebanese_chamberofcommerce and register on www.salcoc.co.za for individual and corporate membership for all those affiliated to the Lebanese community
UPDATESouthern African Lebanon Relief FundThe blast in Beirut on 4th August last year was devastating and tragic. The SALCOC assisted in arranging The Lebanon Relief Fund which raised over R1.1 Million in cash donations from our community, friends, family and colleagues in South Africa to donate toward the harrowing needs of our Lebanese community in Beirut. This cash was divided across the Red Cross, Solidarity and Arc-en-Ceil, all independent relief agencies in Lebanon. Essential good donations were also received by kind and willing benefactors in our community. The letter received from Caritas Lebanon on the 30th July 2021 thanks our people in South Africa for their generosity and contributions towards this cause. (Note that Caritas Lebanon is the agency based in Lebanon who we used to facilitate the clearance and distribution of the food shipments).
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SALCOC thanks every person who donated towards this good cause for your solidarity and generosity.
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Budwa Abrosie who helped facilitate the shipment of goods to Lebanon.
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The 4th August 2021 was the one year anniversary of the tragic Beirut Port blast. Lebanon is still in our thoughts and prayers. |
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NEWS FLASHES
On Facebook 30th July 2021, the SALCOC commended Stephen Saad, founder of Aspen, and his group for their work and commitment in manufacturing and dispatching the J&J COVID-19 vaccines to combat this pandemic. Visit the YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/MEBv-ydlEoo On 4th June, the SALCOC commended Stephen Saad on receiving the prestigious Knight of The French National Order of Merit Award from French President, Emmanuel Macron in recognition of his role in developing economic relations between France and South Africa, and his commitment on initiatives to benefit underprivileged communities on a global basis. 
The SALCOC wishes all community members well in this fight against Covid #staysafe
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Featured Member: DRAM
The DRAM Team:
Dean Gossayn and Alex (Gossayn) Bolus
DRAM is a company in the steel & industrial coatings industry specialising in the corrosion protection of structural steel. It was established by Martin Gossayn in 1989 and remains a family business.
Contact details:
Dean Gossayn, CEO: dean@dram.co.za
Alex Bolus, CFO: alex@dram.co.za
www.dram.co.za
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SALCOC Notice Board
We encourage members to send us clips or pictures of investment opportunities and/or collaborations which help facilitate a stronger commercial and economic relationship between the Lebanese communities in Southern Africa, in other countries where they reside and in Lebanon.
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The SALCOC Business Directory
We invite all businesses in the Southern African-Lebanese community and businesses in Lebanon wishing to enter into relationships with Southern African companies to register their businesses on the site. This will, for a limited time, be free of charge, although SALCOC members receive a more detailed listing than non-members. |
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SALCOC Youth Connect
Youth Connect aims to support youths in the Lebanese-South African community in their efforts to find job shadowing opportunities, internships, part-time and full-time employment.
Visit this page often and see how you can help our youth to thrive. Encourage the young adults in your life to register their needs on the site, free of charge. |
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SALCOC Youth Connect – “A success story: Connecting the Community
Gerrard Ansara (owner of Ansara Architecture) has offered job shadowing time to Lyne Slim, who is studying Architecture at University of Cape Town. Lyne applied through Youth Connect. We are proud of you Lyne and thank you Gerrard for your mentorship and time in helping our youth to grow in their industry of choice. |
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Growing SALCOC – For the Good of the Community The success of any community organisation depends on the level of engagement of the community for which it exists. Help us to grow SALCOC by referring two people that you believe may benefit from being a part of this initiative, whether they are based in Southern Africa, or in Lebanon. Thank you.
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SALCOC on Social Media Help us to connect with more people in the community by sharing our social media posts. Follow the links below to find our social profiles. Like or follow us and be sure to share our posts and event invitations with family and friends in the community.
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The Board and Corporate Members of SALCOC SALCOC Board of Directors: Dr. Azar Jammine (Chairman), Garth Towell (Executive Director), Michelle Azar Hiridjee, Mark Kalil, Jerome Kourie, Colin Rezek, John Shalala, Laila Slim (all Directors) with representatives for Angola: Mohamad (Castro) Nesser and Botswana: Nicolas Zakhem. Corporate Members:SALCOC acknowledges our corporate members below and thanks them for their patronage and support towards the Lebanese communities.
- 247 GP (James Essey)
- 3 Dot Construction (Eddy Giuricich)
- Acacia Finance (Pty) Ltd (Jerome Kourie)
- Ace Nut Traders (Eddie Antonie)
- Afribet (Lawrence Kourie)
- Analytics (James Towell)
- Andiccio24 Head Office (Jerome Kourie)
- Ansara Architecture - Gerrard Ansara
- Bel France Restaurant Snack – Oriental (*Angola)
- Blackline Group
- Bodyshop Equipment Solutions (Gerard Kairuz)
- Broll Auctions and Sales (Norman Raad)
- Case Johnson
- Debtin Consultants t/a Capability BPO (Mark Essey)
- DRAM Industrial Painting Contractors (Dean Gossayn)
- Gas Accounting
- Greef / Christies Properties International (Loretta Diab)
- i-Talk Financial Services (Jarryd Lahoud)
- Jetline Franchises (John Shalala)
- Jetline Randburg (Vincent Kairuz)
- Karam Motors (Gregory Karam)
- Karam Tools CC
- Masterskill (Pty) Ltd (John Shalala)
- MB Design (Mark Bakos)
- Medical Distinctions (Nada Azzie)
- Mideast Power Systems (John Abillama)
- Palladium Hair Co (GG Abouchabki)
- Richfield
- Solid Ceilings (Dale Deeb)
- The Spare Connection Midas (Gavin Maroun)
- Thunderbolt Solutions (Gerry Baker)
- Tropifrais (Laila Slim)
- Unison Impact Ventures (Rami Tabiaat)
- UPYA-Ventures (Ali Saad)
- Vantage Capital / CMR Advisors (Colin Rezek)
If you would like to register with SALCOC for corporate membership, please click on the button below. |
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