The First Anniversary of City Centre Beirut held under the patronage of President Michel Sleiman and in presence of Mr. Majid Al Futtaim

The ceremony marking the first anniversary of City Centre Beirut, in Hazmieh, was held under the patronage and the presence of the President of the Lebanese Republic General Michel Sleiman and Mr. Majid Al Futtaim. The ceremony also featured prominent public, economic and media figures from Lebanon and the region. Majid Al Futtaim's presence in Lebanon at this particular time stems from its intent to express the commitment and determination of its enterprises to invest in the future of the country.

The program of the ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque of the event and a tour of the centre where the management of Majid Al Futtaim elaborated in detail, to President Sleiman the modern international standards and the environmentally friendly concepts that Majid Al Futtaim group of companies adopts in all its development projects, outlining that City Centre Beirut is the only mall in Lebanon that earned the golden LEED certificate (for leadership in adopting standards respecting clean energy and environment). After the completion of his tour of the facility, President Sleiman, signed the Golden Book of the Centre.

The Ceremony

A documentary about Majid Al Futtaim was shown to the attendees followed by a speech by Mr. Iyad Malas, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding emphasizing "the importance of this event for Lebanon, since it will contribute to stimulating the local economy, while attracting tourists and encouraging investments."

Malas also noted that "the inauguration last year of City Centre Beirut was a cornerstone in Majid Al Futtaim investment strategy in Lebanon, and it is through this opening and other projects currently under development in Lebanon, that Majid Al Futtaim wishes to affirm its confidence in the country as an investment hub capable of accommodating major commercial and touristic projects while enhancing and strengthening Lebanon's prestigious economic reputation in the region", Malas further outlined that "Majid Al Futtaim" secured through the development of City Centre Beirut over 2500 jobs at the Centre's shops, restaurants, entertainment facilities and international brands that extend on a surface of more than 60 thousand sqm".

During the ceremony, Malas presented the completed and ongoing projects carried out by Majid Al Futtaim in Lebanon, among them City Centre Beirut with 7 million visitors since its opening in April 2013, and Waterfront City, which is currently underway in Dbayeh, north of Beirut, and will include residential, business, leisure, retail and hospitality components.

Malas assured that "Majid Al Futtaim is committed to invest in the future of Lebanon on the long run through an action plan spanning over seven years, with  a total funding of about two billion dollars which will create more than 6,000 jobs for Lebanese."

In conclusion, Malas expressed that: "We hope that City Centre Beirut, Waterfront City and our other projects in Lebanon would create an economic incentive for the country and we are confident that Lebanon will remain a leader in the field of business, tourism and trade in the Middle East".