BankMed

BankMed is one of the largest banking and financial groups in Lebanon. Established in 1944, it went through several metamorphoses to become today a universal bank with services ranging from retail, corporate, investment, and private banking. The last of this transformation is a restructuring and re-branding campaign that started in December 2005 and is still in process, fully integrating other members of GroupMed, mainly Allied bank, the Saudi Lebanese Bank, and Mediterranee Investment Bank into BankMed. The result is the fourth largest bank in Lebanon in terms of assets, a consolidated network of 51 commercial branches in Lebanon, one branch in Cyprus, in addition to the Bank's private banking subsidiary in Switzerland and a representative office in Brazil.

BankMed enjoys a long standing position as the largest corporate lender on the Lebanese market with a client base that includes some of the major corporate names in Lebanon. BankMed's corporate banking activities have earned a reputation in structuring innovative and complex financing deals.

As part of the overall vision and strategy, BankMed has given increasing emphasis on developing its retail and private banking business. As a result, the Bank continues to expand its core retail customer base by identifying real customer's needs and requirements and developing innovative products and services. As for private banking, BankMed is significantly strengthening its capabilities by building a team of skilled private bankers to offer individually-tailored services to high net worth customers, optimizing the strengths of BankMed and BankMed (Suisse) in order to develop a wide range of products and services, and capitalizing on the presence in Europe and Latin America in order to reach the vast expatriate Lebanese community.

BankMed has committed itself to strengthening its position as one of Lebanon's leading banks and growing its market share and profitability.

Credit Libanais

Credit Libanais, a Global Provider

The long experience and know-how of Credit Libanais, one of the oldest banks operating in Lebanon, are key factors to capitalize on in our competitive world. Established in 1961, Credit Libanais has always played an innovative leadership role, by being the first Lebanese bank to acquire other banks (Continental Development Bank (1977), Capital Trust Bank (1994), First Phoenician Bank (1994) and American Express Bank in Beirut (2000)); and in post-war Lebanon, the first Lebanese Bank to introduce the electronic Point of Sale network in 1993, the largest in the country today accepting major international cards; the first to lead a group of major local banks to create the first nation-wide ATM network, International Payment Network (IPN) and ensure payment cards acceptance, clearing, and settlement services between 23 national banks and international card organizations; the first bank to issue Euro Certificates of Deposits in 1996 listed on the international stock exchanges.

Our Strengths:

Steered by a skilled management team, Credit Libanais offers, in addition to its classical banking activities, numerous innovative services, such as: e-commerce, leasing, consumer loans, smart cards, bills collection, Points of Sale, bancassurance, government subsidized finance, Wealth Management and Private Banking services, micro-finance, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) funding. In all aspects of banking, we are known for technological excellence, and for providing proactive and competitive solutions. In fact, the quality strategy is underlined by the Bank successfully obtaining the ISO 9001:2000 Certification for Quality Management System in 2004.

Our Network:

Operating today as a global provider, Credit Libanais furnishes a full range of banking services channeled through an extensive network of 58 branches in Lebanon, an International Banking Unit in Cyprus, and a Representation Office in Montreal, Canada. The latter ensures the Bank’s interests in North America and reinforces banking cooperation between Canada, Lebanon and the Middle East. The Bank also reaps the benefits of a large network of international correspondents around the globe.

Our Cooperation partnerships:

Sound management practices and sophisticated financing tools are but a few strategic cooperative activities we forge and maintain every step of the way. We developed partnerships with international bodies such as the Arab Trade Financing Program (ATFP), the Inter Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation (IAIGC), the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIIEC), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Export Development Canada (EDC), the Cooperative Housing and Finance (CHF/USAID) which subsidizes the micro finance scheme, Ameen, the Economic and Social Fund for Development lending to very small and small enterprises in cooperation with the European Union, and the Saudi Fund for Development to enhance Saudi imports at a low cost.. On the local arena, our partnerships ensure financing for low and medium term projects to individuals and institutions alike. With Kafalat schemes, funds are made available to start-ups; Iskan schemes ensure housing loans financing to low-income customers; and through our alliance with Berytech, the first incubator in the Middle East, we develop and maintain venture capital operations in Lebanon.

Continuous Innovation and development:

Credit Libanais constantly launches new technological services, such as the Internet Banking, Call Center and Phone Banking to provide customers with an easy access to the Bank, at times convenient to them from the comfort of their homes or offices. Most importantly, Credit Libanais invests in its most important assets, its employees, by ensuring continuous training and development of staff.

The Road Ahead:

Owing to skilled teams of management and staff, coupled with diligence, resolute perseverance and accomplishments, Credit Libanais is confident of its ability to remain among the best performing banks in the industry, one that aims at delivering highest standards of quality services to customers in Lebanon and worldwide.

Sofil Centre, Ashrafieh, P.O.Box 16-6729 Beirut 1100 2811, Lebanon Fax: (961) 1 325713
www.creditlibanais.com
info@creditlibanais.com.lb

IDAL

The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon - IDAL is the national investment promotion agency dedicated to promote Lebanon as a viable investment destination and to attract, facilitate and retain investments in the country.

IDAL was established in 1994 by a decree from the Lebanese Council of Ministers and reports to the Prime Minister who exercises tutorial authority upon it. In 2001, IDAL's mission was reinforced by the enactment of the Investment Development Law 360 and its subsequent implementation decrees, regulating the investment activity in Lebanon and empowering IDAL with the required investment promotion tools.

Services

IDAL provides a range of investment-related services including:

• Identifying and promoting investment opportunities in Lebanon;
• Disseminating market information about the individual country, business, legal, investment and other relevant information;
• Identifying potential joint venture partners and strategic allies for Lebanese businesses;
• Facilitating the registration and issuance of permits and licenses required for any investment project;
• Providing ongoing support for investment projects once established.

In particular, IDAL, through the One-Stop-Shop Licensing (OSS) Directorate, grants investment projects in key economic sectors – Industry, Agriculture, Agro-Industries, Tourism, Information Technology, Communication and Information, and meeting the set criteria stipulated by the Investment Development Law 360, a mix of incentives and fiscal exemptions. There are two incentive schemes: (1) Investment Project and (2) Package Deal Contract.

• Investment Project provides a mix of incentives, tax exemptions and fee reductions based on an investment classification zoning system.
• Package Deal Contract offers a range of incentives, tax exemptions and fee reductions for investment projects.