BBAC signed today a memorandum of understanding with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) for Live Lebanon initiative at Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut. Chairman General Manager of BBAC Mr. Ghassan Assaf and UNDP's Resident Representative Mr. Robert Watkins signed the document in the presence of Mr. Milad Nammour, representing Mr. Haitham Joumaa the General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants – Directorate of Emigrants Affairs, BBAC and UNDP managers and staff members, representatives of international and local organizations, and media representatives, who were later invited to enjoy a welcome reception in commemoration of this occasion.

This one-year strategic partnership will make it possible for BBAC to provide direct support and make a concrete difference on serious health, environmental, educational and economic issues in different communities across Lebanon by participating in projects that link national priorities to specific and tangible actions for quick-impact on the ground. Each project will be intricately planned in collaboration with municipalities, cooperatives and NGOs.

The press conference was opened by Dr. Raghed Assi, UNDP Programme Manager for Social and Local Development, who gave a brief presentation on Live Lebanon initiative and its achievements, illustrated by real-life examples. 

Later, Mr. Watkins delivered a speech in which he pointed out that UNDP believes in the strong potential that the vibrant Lebanese private sector has to promote Lebanon’s development. He also stressed the importance of creating public-private partnerships, especially in a time of economic difficulties and global crises, and the critical role they play in the alleviation of poverty and responding to the needs of the most underprivileged communities.

In his speech, Mr. Assaf declared,  “To us in BBAC, success is only valuable when it helps people lead better lives and when it allows communities to live with dignity and pride. With the Live Lebanon project we believe that we would achieve our aim by contributing to the welfare of our country…”.

He added, “BBAC is fully in support of Live Lebanon because it reflects what the bank stands for. This national initiative, to us, is a shining star to our continuing commitment to care for our community and to share our experience and knowhow.”

It is worth mentioning that BBAC’s contributions to achieving sustainable development in terms of resolving social, economic and environmental concerns, and creating job opportunities for the youth lie within the bank’s corporate social responsibility program, thus, living up to its promise of being ‘Your Caring Bank’.

For more information on Live Lebanon, you can visit www.livelebanon.org