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ABCC Chief: We Help Bring London Investors Closer to Vision 2030

Arab British Chamber of Commerce CEO Bandar Ali Reda (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat)
Arab British Chamber of Commerce CEO Bandar Ali Reda (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat)
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ABCC Chief: We Help Bring London Investors Closer to Vision 2030

Arab British Chamber of Commerce CEO Bandar Ali Reda (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat)
Arab British Chamber of Commerce CEO Bandar Ali Reda (Photo Credit: Asharq Al-Awsat)

As the Arab British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) leading preparations to host its upcoming Arab British Economic Summit 2019 (ABES 2019) event, ABCC CEO Bandar Ali Reda highlighted the importance of union and communication among trade and industry communities in the UK and the Arab world.

Reda, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, clarified that the summit will highlight the subjects most relevant to UK and Arab business and offer an exceptional opportunity to network with people from all sectors.

Summit attendees and speakers include British and Arab business leaders, corporate affairs and public policy professionals.

The ABCC chief also emphasized the great UK interest shown in the Saudi national transformation plan, dubbed Kingdom Vision 2030. He explained that the ABCC is active in serving this interest by organizing and hosting several occasions to present investment opportunities in partnership with Saudi officials.

On that note, Bandar revealed that another high-level event will be held at the ABCC headquarters next week.

The summit will provide insights into key topics through panel discussions, keynote speakers and by providing opportunities for discussion with other attendees. It will showcase the broad range of projects emerging and under development within the Arab world and the huge scope for British involvement and offer invaluable opportunities for investors, exporters, experts, consultants and providers of services to engage in dialogue with project leaders and decision makers.

When asked about ABCC’s organizational contribution to Vision 2030, Bandar said the chamber has managed bringing Saudi officials and British parties together for several forums, workshops and meetings.

“The Kingdom is considered the UK’s no.1 economic partner in the Middle East,” he said, underscoring British interest in “entering strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia since Vision 2030 was announced.”

“The ABCC has hosted many occasions and high-profile personalities, the most prominent being Saudi Trade and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qasabi. A roundtable meeting was held in the presence of major UK companies to review the framework of Vision 2030,” Bandar added.

As for investment-encouraging conferences, Bandar said: “We recently organized many events that support Vision 2030. They included the organization of an open discussion meeting on investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Saudi General Investment Authority (SAGIA).”

That meeting, according to the ABCC chief, was attended by a trade delegation from the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a semi-government organization that regulates and serves the business community in Makkah, which is home to one of Islam’s holiest sites and a top destination for Muslim pilgrims worldwide.

“We look forward to further cooperation and are ready to keep up with this ambitious vision to achieve its objectives,” Bandar noted.

“These meetings and events invite British decision makers, entrepreneurs and investors interested in investing in Saudi Arabia to acquaint them with available opportunities in the Kingdom.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.