Rebuild Lebanon 2007

November 13 - November 16 2007

An Extraordinary Edition of the Project Lebanon Exhibition, The 13th International Trade Exhibit= ion for Construction Building Materials Equipment and Environmental Technology for Lebanon and the Middle East

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UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF= THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON= , H.E. MR. FUAD SINIORA

Rebuild Lebanon 2007 - Seize Top-Quality Investment Opportunities in a Fast-Paced, Exciting New Reconstruction Market.

Beirut has turned into a giant building site spurred by the appetite of expatriates and GCC investors.

Huge Reconstruction Ma= rket in Lebanon; Foreign Investment Expected to Double Within a Year

The destruction caused by the recent war in Lebanon has created a huge re= construction market in the country which is likely to thrive for years and prompt foreign investment to double, to over $3 billion.

Around 15,000 homes, 80 bridges, over 630 roads, and a variety of other infrastructure elements, including electricity power stati= ons, utility lines, sewage systems, factories and communications masts, must be rebuilt. One of the most urgent needs is that for housing. As many as 10,000 pre-fabricated houses have been requested, and many thousands more will nee= d to be rebuilt from scratch. The Beirut Chamber of Commerce has estimated the c= ost of this reconstruction drive at $10 billion. The rebuilding of bridges and roads alone will cost $3 billion. Funding for the reconstruction of 12 brid= ges has already been pledged and a fund has been established for the repair of = all damaged bridges.

Over a Billion Dollars= in Reconstruction

Funds Secured; European Union to Play a Leading Role in Reconstruction Effort
Funding for other reconstruction projects, worth tens of millions of dollar= s, has also been secured. Close to a billion dollars – almost double the amount Lebanon’s government had said it hoped to raise - was promised at a donor conference = in the Swedish capital Stockholm<= /st1:place> shortly after the war ended. Gulf countries have already pledged $800 milli= on for Lebanon’s reconstruction and the European Union is also going to play a leading role = in the reconstruction effort, with funds worth more than $50 million. The World Bank is set to reallocate $40 million in already-approved loans for post-war reconstruction in Le= banon. The United Arab Emirates has promised to pay for the rebuilding of the Port of Ouzai, as well as hospitals a= nd schools in southern = Lebanon. Qatar meanwhile has sa= id it will pay for the reconstruction of the village of Bint Jbeil in the south of the country, and a host of Qatari companies are jostling to enter the Lebanon reconstruction market. And the United States has pledged $230 million. All in = all, well over a billion dollars have been raised for the reconstruction of Lebanon= .

Lebanon’s reconstruction market= has created a wealth of investment opportunity for regional and international construction sector professionals. At the Rebuild Lebanon exhibition, the world’s top reconstruction decision-makers will come together to seiz= e an exciting array of opportunities in the Lebanese market, spanning every kind= of infrastructure project.

The international community and Arab countries pledging billions to rebuild=

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Despite War= , Lebanon Business Investment Environment Remains Sound, Amid Financial Incentives for Foreign Investors Lebanon remains a sound investment environment. The banki= ng system is still liquid and the Central Bank still presides over strong curr= ency reserves – strengthened by Saudi and Kuwaiti infusions. Although some leading real estate investors are waiting for the security situation to stabilize, no one is pulling out. On the contrary, everyone expects Lebanon= to bounce back fast. Government bonds have recovered, the share price of real estate giant Solidere has recovered, and the Beirut stock exchange is in a bullish mood again, reflecting the famed resilience if Lebanon to domestic turbulence. And Leba= non is a great place to do business. The capital Beirut is a modern, buzzing cosmopolitan business-friendly hub, a crossroads between East and West, and a haven for demanding international business professionals. Lebanon’s traditional f= ocus on attracting foreign investment is apparent in the mission of the Investme= nt Development Authority of Lebanon, which grants fiscal exemptions and incent= ives to regional and global investors.

A Stepping-Stone to Lucrative Contracts in a New, Business-Friendly

Reconstruction Market<= o:p>

Rebuild Lebanon 2007 will offer construction players from across the region and the world a unique entry point to one of the most exciting new reconstruction markets in the region. It will be a vibrant mee= ting point for distributors, suppliers, and agents for all kinds of reconstructi= on material. Whether already firmly-established in the region, or seeking to g= ain a foothold in an emerging reconstruction market, international reconstructi= on firms will find Rebuild Lebanon a valuable platform for product exposure. Participants will also enjoy unparalleled access to the top public sector o= fficials who can facilitate investment procedures and streamline top lucrative deals= , in an exciting, modern business-advancing environment.

Key Lebanon Reconstruction Needs

Post war Lebanon requires a full range of infrastructure products, services & systems ne= eded to rebuild the country. These include housing, power & water infrastructure, hospital rehabilitation & equipment, medicine, security equipment & services, environmental tools, road & bridge construction, rehabilitation of schools, agricultural & afro-food production equipment and machinery, in addition to ICT development.

Widespread demand for basic building materials and equipment

Lebanon requires substantial reconstr= uction and rehabilitation, creating demand for basic building materials and equipm= ent, architectural finishing products, tools and technology, civil engineering expertise, environmental know-how, and infrastructure material, as well as maintenance services and equipment in addition to prefabricated houses. The destruction caused by the recent war in Lebanon has created a huge reconstruction market that could easily rise above the $10 billion prelimin= ary estimate. Around 15,000 homes, hundreds of schools, 80 bridges, over 630 ro= ads, and a variety of other infrastructure elements, including electricity power stations, utility lines, sewage systems, factories and communications masts, must be rebuilt or rehabilitated.

Power stations and electrical components

One of the most important sectors needs urgent attention= is the rehabilitation of power stations, plant equipment, high voltage transmission, distribution networks, transformers and portable generators. Additionally, electrical supplies and accessories, switches and controls and testing equipment are required. The Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water announced that electricity losses amount to $150 million in general followi= ng production, distribution and transportation damages. It is estimated that t= he Jiyeh power station will alone cost $45-50 million.

Great need of safety, security equipment and services

The safety and security market in Lebanon is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. There is increasing demand for high-quality security equipment and services. The Internal Security Forces and Surete Generale are = tasked with internal and border security responsibilities ranging from internal sa= fety to drugs and weapons smuggling and illegal entry of foreigners to Lebanon= . The Civil Aviation Authority and Customs Authorities maintain several areas of safety including baggage control, weapons detection, passenger scanning, and the physical security of the aircrafts. High-security industries and banks = also need sensitive security applications.

Telecom and IT upgrade= is key to Lebanon’s reconstruction

Although the Lebanese enjoy the benefits of GSM cellular networks, the need of ICT development in Lebanon is vital. The Lebanese market stipulates considerable range of upgraded internet services offering solutions like DSL broadband, security systems, multimedia in addition to e-government and e-commerce technologies.

Healthcare requires widespread rehabilitation

Perhaps the most pressing of all the needs in the post-w= ar Lebanon= is the establishment of regular and professional healthcare. There is urgent demand for hospital equipment, furniture and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and intens= ive care, prostheses and prostheses centers, psychiatric services in addition to emergency & rehabilitation equipment.

Rehabilitating Lebanon= ’s agricultural sector is a must

The Lebanese agricultural sector received a severe blow = with losses estimated more than $200 million. The agro-food sector alone needs t= he rehabilitation and even reconstruction of many factories. New machinery for dairy farming is required. Irrigation and water technology and management, = as well as agricultural machinery are needed especially in areas devastated by= the war. Damages to the water sector alone amount to around $50 million.

General products, goods and services

The day to day needs of the Lebanese people are also highlighted in the demand for consumer good and services, scholarly books, = auto parts and tools, computers and office equipment in addition to home furnitu= re and appliances.