MOVE UPWARD
TBY talks to Nicolas Sehnaoui, Chairman, UK Lebanon Tech Hub, on the sector.

What is the process for a start-up when it decides to join the hub?
Our accelerator is split into two programs: 'The Nucleus” program targeting idea and early stage start-ups, and the scale-up program for growth level start-ups that are already generating revenues and are looking to scale and access new international markets. We have conducted two cycles of acceleration. There were 70 companies in the first two years, and we quadrupled their value. They raised more than USD16 million in investment, reached a collective valuation of USD140 million, and created around 800 jobs. The objective of the hub is to help the Lebanese ecosystem move upward, become more mature, and accelerate the whole ecosystem.
With over 200 start-ups, how do you foresee Lebanon becoming a start-up hub?
Lebanon is becoming the hub because of the supportive start-up environment, like the Banque Du Liban's Circular 331, acceleration support, and increased investment. Lebanon is definitely going to be a hub as soon as ICT infrastructure is strengthened as a result of increased political stability. We have the talent, the vibrancy, and the activity; we are the best equipped to be the digital and media hub of MENA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
HE General Michel Aoun, President, Republic of Lebanon
TBY talks to HE General Michel Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon, on reinvigorating and renewing the national pact, the importance of the economic planning for growth and stability, and building a more inclusive citizenship.
read articleGuest Speaker
Nicos Anastasiades, President, Republic of Cyprus
TBY talks to Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus, on the ancient ties that bind Cyprus and Lebanon, the importance of recent and future offshore energy discoveries for bilateral relations, and the importance of working together to combat common security and political problems.
read articleFocus: Regional Relations
On Good Terms
Looking to restore Lebanon's reputation as a credible mediator, stem the flow of refugees, and restart the flow of money, Lebanon's President Aoun takes a tour, following Lebanon's old money trails in hopes of sparking exchange with the Gulf states and bonding over shared concerns.
read articleGuest Speaker
Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister , Spain
TBY talks to Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain, on the Spanish contribution to UNIFIL in the south of Lebanon, the powerful cultural proclivities between the two countries, and Spain's proven long-term commitments to the safety and prosperity of Lebanon.
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Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Foreign Affairs , South Africa
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, on working together with Lebanon to forge broader regional peace, strengthening over century-long ties, and working in tandem with South Africa's sizeable Lebanese diaspora to boost commercial ties between the two.
read articleInterview
Gebran Bassil, Minister, Foreign Affairs and Emigrants
TBY talks to Gebran Bassil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, on the critical importance of reintegrating the Lebanese diaspora, the country's oil and gas bid, and bringing some semblance of normalcy back to the region.
read articleInterview
Dr. Fouad Zmokhol, President, Association of Lebanese Business People in the World (RDCL World)
TBY talks to Dr. Fouad Zmokhol, President of the Association of Lebanese Business People in the World (RDCL World), on the resilience of Lebanese entrepreneurship and the importance of small and medium-sized businesses for meeting the challenges of the future.
read articleInterview
Salim Zeenni, Chairman, American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)
TBY talks to Salim Zeenni, Chairman of American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), on initiatives to bring Lebanese start-up culture to the world, how to advocate on behalf of SMEs, and sectors driving the Lebanese economy forward.
read articleInterview
Nabil A. Itani, Chairman, Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL)
TBY talks to Nabil A. Itani, Chairman of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), on increasing Lebanon's short-term investment flows, tapping into the diaspora, and bolstering the country's vibrant start-up community to bring long-term prosperity.
read articleInterview
Aziz Torbey, Founder , Eptalex
TBY talks to Aziz Torbey, Founder of Eptalex, Aziz Torbey Law Firm, on the long-term structural advantages of working in Lebanon, important moves the state is taking to improve the regulatory framework, and how the merger with Eptalex has revitalized the firm's global operations.
read articleInterview
Tarek Mohamad El Khati, Minister, Environment
TBY talks to Tarek Mohamad El Khatib, Minister of Environment, on boosting renewables in Lebanon, working with municipalities to maximize waste management efficiency, and dealing with the environmental fallout of the crisis in Syria.
read articleInterview
Jamal Itani, Mayor, Beirut
TBY talks to Jamal Itani, Mayor of Beirut, Municipal Council of Beirut, on using the latest technology to solve the waste management fiasco, employing the latest environmental standards to reduce Beirut's carbon footprint, and making the city far greener and more pedestrian friendly.
read articleInterview
Dr. Riad T. Salameh, Governor, Banque du Liban (BDL)
TBY talks to Dr. Riad T. Salameh, Governor of Banque du Liban (BDL), on employing swap operations to reverse deleterious trends of the past five years, strengthening the central bank's foreign currency reserves, and bolstering the knowledge economy in the long term.
read articleInterview
Freddie C. Baz, Group Strategy Director, Bank Audi
TBY talks to Freddie C. Baz, Group Strategy Director of Bank Audi, on the importance of Turkey and Egypt to Audi's portfolio, venturing into Africa and Latin America, and leading by example in corporate governance and risk management.
read articleInterview
Antoun Sehnaoui, Chairman & CEO, SGBL
TBY talks to Antoun Sehnaoui, Chairman & CEO of SGBL, on supporting the bedrock of the Lebanese economy, SMEs, the group's ambitious expansion efforts across the region, and how to continuously deploy the most advanced information platforms.
read articleInterview
Dr. Ghaleb Mahmassani, Vice-President , Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE)
TBY talks to Dr. Ghaleb Mahmassani, Vice-President of the Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE), on the pace of the privatization of the BSE, the sharp increase in trading movement in 2016, and how to change the business culture in Lebanon for the better.
read articleInterview
Max. R. Zaccar, President, Association of Insurance Companies
TBY talks to Max. R. Zaccar, President of the Association of Insurance Companies, on the importance of insurance to the entire financial infrastructure, opportunities in Syria and Iran, and the need to educate the public on the importance of the industry.
read articleReview
Never let a post-crisis go to waste
Having seen off their domestic foes—for now—the energy initiatives being championed by President Aoun and Foreign Minister Bassil will need more than patience and cunning to see off the threat to eastern Mediterranean drilling rights from Israel.
read articleInterview
Cesar Abi Khalil, Minister, Energy & Water
TBY talks to Cesar Abi Khalil, Minister of Energy & Water, on boosting the percentage of renewables to 12%, implementing an ambitious set of energy-efficiency reforms for 2016-2020, and using public sector buildings as an important pilot for doing so.
read articleInterview
Hisham Itani, Chairman & CEO, RGH Holding
TBY talks to Hisham Itani, Chairman & CEO of <a href="http://www.rgh.com.lb/rgh/en/home#&panel1-1">RGH Holding</a>, on digital security and cybersecurity offerings and how RGH has transformed government and private sector operations alike.
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Dr. Hassan El Solh, Medical Center Director & Chief Medical Officer, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
TBY talks to Dr. Hassan El Solh, Medical Center Director & Chief Medical Officer of American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), on the center's expanding infrastructure and patient services, upgrades in technology, and development of specialties and centers of excellence.
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Mohamad Chehabeddine, Director General , Civil Aviation of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport
TBY talks to Mohamad Chehabeddine, Director General of Civil Aviation of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, on the airport's terminal expansion and security enhancements to attract more travelers to the Paris of the East.
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Michel Pharaon, Minister, State for Planning Affairs
TBY talks to Michel Pharaon, Minister of State for Planning Affairs, on the structure of the ministry, public-private partnerships, and both the opportunities for growth and challenges in Lebanon's current political climate.
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