GHM Chairman pays a  visit to Pakistan and meets with President Musharraf

Lahore and Karachi – December 2003

In December 2003, the Chairman of General Mediterranean Holding, Mr Nadhmi Auchi, paid a three-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Pervez Elahi and the President of the Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Chaudry Shujat Hussain. Mr Auchi arrival at Lahore Airport from India was recorded as the first flight arrival after the lifting of the flight restrictions between India and Pakistan.

Mr Auchi and his accompanying GMH executives, Mr Arif Husain and Dr Charles Panayides were met at Allama Iqbal Airport by the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League and the Federal Minister for Health, Mr Nasir Khan, and were escorted to the Punjab State Guesthouse.

After the welcoming luncheon and reception hosted by the Government of Punjab, Mr Auchi was given a brief tour of Pakistan’s cultural city of Lahore, during which he had the opportunity to visit the historic Lahore Fort and the famous Badshahi Mosque - both built by the Mogul emperors.  In the evening, a banquet took place organised by the Chief Minister in honour of Mr Auchi.  The event was attended by over 150 guests, including provincial and federal ministers from across Pakistan as well as other distinguished personalities from the Government and the business community of Punjab.

The following day, Mr Auchi and his executives accompanied by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Health, Mr Nasir Khan, travelled to Karachi where they met with The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency General Pervez Musharraf. The one-hour meeting with President Musharraf covered the wide-ranging activities of General Mediterranean Holding and the business opportunities that Pakistan has to offer to the group. The Pakistani President expressed his keen interest to see General Mediterranean Holding invest in the economy of his country and guaranteed a 25% rate of return on investment.

In the evening, Mr Auchi was a guest of honour at a dinner in Islamabad hosted by the President of the Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Chaudry Shujat Hussain. Following dinner, Mr Auchi was invited to the Prime Minister’s residence in Islamabad for a private meeting with the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zufarullah Khan Jamali.

On the last day of the visit to Pakistan, a trip was organised to the hilltop resort of Murree, where a lunch was given in honour of Mr Auchi. Following lunch, Mr Auchi and his executives left for Islamabad airport where they were met by the Minster of Finance Mr Shawkat Aziz, who is at present is the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Prime Minister of Bulgaria holds talks with GMH Chairman

Sofia – December 2003

On 9 December 2003, The Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the country’s former King, His Excellency Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha received Mr Nadhmi Auchi, Chairman of General Mediterranean Holding at the Council of Ministers in central Sofia.  Discussions were held concerning the opportunities for the GMH group to invest in Bulgaria especially in the industrial and tourist sectors.

Mr Auchi also held separate meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, HE Mrs Lydia Shouleva and later with the Bulgarian Minister of Finance, HE Mr Milen Veltchev.

President of Lebanon officially opens GMH Group’s Le Royal Hotel

Beirut – August 2003

The official opening of General Mediterranean Holding’s new landmark hotel in the Lebanese capital, Le Royal Hotel in Beirut, was officially opened on 8 August 2003 in the presence and under the patronage of The President of Lebanon, His Excellency General Emile Lahoud.

The magnificent building spreads over 35,000 sqm, and features 380 rooms including 128 luxurious suites and has a unique view overlooking the sea. The country’s leading five-star hotel also offers a wide range of facilities for business, conferences and leisure as well as exquisite cuisine for the finest connoisseurs. The hotel also encompasses a huge Watergate leisure complex. Le Royal in Beirut is a Member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

For the first time in Lebanon, prime ministers, ministers, senators, ambassadors, foreign dignitaries and distinguished businessmen from across Europe, North America and the Arab world participated in what turned out to be a truly unique and exceptional event in the Pearl Ballroom of the newly opened hotel.

The reception commenced with an opening speech by Mr Ramsay Al Najjar followed by a poetry reading by the Jordanian Minister of Culture, His Excellency Mr Haidar Mahmoud. The Chairman of General Mediterranean Holding, Mr Nadhmi Auchi, warmly welcomed all his guests and introduced them to the exclusive hotel.

Later, The President of the Republic unveiled the commemorative plate formally opening Le Royal Hotel in Beirut, which was followed by a huge firework display and impressive laser show which illuminated the sky above. The guests were then entertained at a splendid Gala Dinner by the Orientals Dance Company choreographed by Elissar Caracalla, and by the famous Lebanese singers Wadih Al Safi and Ragheb Alameh.

King of Bahrain welcomes GHM Chairman at the Royal Palace in Bahrain

Manama – February 2003

On 1 February 2003, His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain received the Chairman of General Mediterranean Holding, Mr Nadhmi Auchi, at the Royal Palace in Manama. During the private audience, His Majesty expressed his delight at receiving Mr Auchi and offered his support for Bahrain to engage with General Mediterranean Holding in exploring the prospects of the group’s investment in the Gulf state.

Mr Nadhmi Auchi expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty and to HRH Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamed Al-Khalifa for their continued encouragement and support for foreign investments in Bahrain.

Mr Auchi emphasised that Bahrain’s free economy & political stability play an essential role in establishing the required confidence for foreign investors and acknowledged that the current facilities and opportunities, which the country provides for investors are equivalent to those in Europe.