King of Jordan opens GMH Group’s Le Royal Hotel

Amman – September 2002

The royal opening of General Mediterranean Holding’s new landmark hotel Le Royal in Amman, Jordan was conducted by Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan on 3 September 2002.  The hotel project represents the largest-ever European investment in the tourism industry in Jordan.

The two hundred million dollar hotel, situated in the heart of the Jordanian capital, Amman, spreads over 128,000 sqm, has 34 floors and 282 rooms and suites. It is one of the most luxurious in the world and is a key element of General Mediterranean Holding, which includes many other leading international hotels, banks, industries and airlines in its portfolio.

“It took over four years to build it and is in many ways a permanent reminder to everyone of the encouragement and support I received from the late King Hussein of Jordan for the project and who laid the hotel’s foundation stone in 1998.  I was therefore truly honoured that Jordan’s new King and Queen continued this much welcomed and valued royal patronage by officially opening it”, Mr Nadhmi Auchi said.

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania cut the ribbon in the presence of over one thousand leading personalities from across the world. Many personalities were present to support this European investment initiative including The Prime Minister of Jordan, His Excellency Mr Ali Abu Al-Ragheb, the President of the Jordanian Senate, His Excellency Mr Zaid Al-Rifaei, the President of the Royal Hashemite Court, His Excellency Mr Faiz Al-Tarawneh, the Minister of Culture of Jordan, His Excellency Mr Haider Mahmoud, the Speaker of the Senate of Parliament, Mr Zaid Rifai, a senior representative of President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon, HRH The Duke of Braganza, Lord Steel of Aikwood, Speaker of the Scottish Parliament; President Jacques Santer of the European Commission and former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lamont of Lerwick.

The Mayor of the City of Amman, Mr Nidhal Hadid, together with many cabinet ministers, and ambassadors were also present.

After dinner the guests were royally entertained by leading Arab singer Kadhum Al-Sahir, flamenco dancers from Spain, traditional Arab musicians and a Tunisian belly dancer.  As the show drew to a close, the guests witnessed an amazing light show, which saw the outside of Jordan’s tallest, largest and newest landmark light up the night sky in an array of multi-colours.

In recognition of his major investment in Jordan, Mr Nadhmi Auchi was later awarded by His Majesty King Abdullah II one of the highest honours of the country - the Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence (First Class).

GMH Chairman Receives Uslan’s Key to the City Award in South Korea

Uslan – January 2002

In January 2004 senior corporate representatives of General Mediterranean Holding paid a visit to South Korea. To mark the occasion, the Mayor of the City of Uslan hosted an official celebration which was attended by a number of distinguished Korean state officials and businessmen, including the Speaker of the Korean Parliament and other parliamentarians. 

At an official ceremony Mr Nadhmi Auchi, Chairman of GMH, received Uslan’s Key to the City award in recognition of his investment projects and his company’s major contribution to the economy of the country.

GMH is actively involved in building 10,000 housing units in the country and is a major shareholder in Korad -  a leading Korean advertising and PR agency.  Korad is considered to be South Korea’s principal advertising agency and among it clients are many blue chip companies engaged in the financial services sectors, food production, car manufacturing, fashion, construction and electronics. The event was widely covered by the Korean press and media.

Presidential Visit to the WaterGate Adventure Aquapark in Beirut

Beirut - August 2002

On Saturday 24th August 2002, H.E President Lahoud of Lebanon paid a visit to Leisure Hill's WaterGate aqua park in Beirut. The Group's Chairman & Mrs Nadhmi Auchi welcomed the President at the entrance of the park and showed him its exclusive features and facilities from slides & games to kiosks & restaurants. After his very interesting tour, The President was seen off by the Chairman, members of the staff and the public.
www.watergatepark.com

Middle East Online

London 

The Group’s latest launching of Middle-East-Online; MEO’s main activity is the provision of Internet based news and current events coverage in Arabic and English languages on the World Wide Web. www.meo.tv

Opening of "WaterGate" aqua park in Lebanon

Beirut - June 2002  

On the 22nd of June 2002, the Chairman Mr N Auchi inaugurated the 14,000 square meters Waterpark, one of the main components of the Leisure Hill Complex in Beirut, Lebanon.

Watergate, the name of the waterpark, is considered to be one of its kind in the area. Its fascinating features include a 1,250 square meters wave pool with computer programmed wave patterns that go as high as 1.80 m. The thrilling rides of the Kamakazi, Twisters, Black Holes, Crazy River & Giant Slides are even more exciting, but the most thrilling is the 4.10 m wide 150 m long Mega Slide, which is the first one installed outside the USA. www.watergatepark.com

Promotional Video (1.5Mb)

Hilton Hotel, Beirut

Beirut - June 2002

The Group acquired in June 2002 the majority share of an old site in the unique Beirut Central District for the construction of the Hilton Hotel, which is due for completion end 2006.