UK-Lebanese trade setting sights on a better future

ENAR

July 2005. London. Applying for trade postings in British embassies in Damascus, Beirut and Amman, I am delighted to get my first choice — Beirut. Despite the instability sparked by the assassination of Rafik Hariri that year and a spate of subsequent attacks, Lebanon seems a good choice for a commercial posting. I have been visiting the country since 2003 and been impressed with Lebanese business professionalism. There is energy and dynamism in the air, and a feeling of excitement that Beirut could once again become a true business hub for the region. There is a good team at the embassy, and from my visits it is clearly also a great place to live — the nightlife, natural beauty, skiing, the food, the people. I can’t wait — I have five months to prepare for a January 2006 start. February 2008. Beirut. July 2005 seems a long time ago. It