APRIL 2014
EDITORIAL
LEADERS
Syria’s refugees: Lower the drawbridge
European states must ease the burden on fragile Middle Eastern countries
Executive Editors
Lebanon should have a risk pool for political violence insurance
A worsening security situation is impacting both insurers and the insured
Executive Editors
Comment
In Yemen, kidnapping is a growing business
Al-Qaeda taking foreigners for ransom, allegedly paid off by Qatar
Farea Al Muslimi
COVER STORY: HEALTHCARE
Public healthcare on the brink
Strained system struggles to cope with influx of Syrian refugees
Joe Dyke
Training the next generation of doctors
Lebanese American University President Joseph Jabbra on big plans for medical school
Maya Sioufi
SPECIAL REPORT: INSURANCE
Insurance market rests assured
Steady, if not remarkable, progress in Lebanese insurance industry
Thomas Schellen
Political violence insurance – avoiding the boom then bust
With increasing violence, growing demand for a niche product
Livia Murray
Motor insurance sector faces roadblocks
Lebanon’s insurance companies slow to implement compulsory motor insurance
Livia Murray
‘The insurance industry needs more women’
Elie Nasnas, general manager of AXA Lebanon, on a changing industry
Thomas Schellen
ECONOMICS & POLICY
Is the international community failing Lebanon?
Foreign actors talk of support, but often not delivering
Domhnall Osullivan
Angelina Eichhorst – Optimism despite crisis
European Union’s representative in Lebanon defends the body’s record
Domhnall Osullivan and Joe Dyke
Wellness is the way forward for the GCC
Using ‘whole-person’ care to tackle chronic illnesses
Jad Bitar and Nikhil Idnani
BANKING & FINANCE
Finally investing in the Middle East
Quilvest’s Fady Michel Abouchalache confident time is right for $150 million food and beverage platform
Maya Sioufi
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
Properties a click away
Does the Internet help or hinder buyers in Lebanon’s real estate market?
Tiziana Cauli
Bella Casa suspension: real estate on the edge?
Decision to discontinue major project has some developers worrying
Karim Makarem
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
‘This is the next industrial revolution’
Mike Butcher of TechCrunch sees progress and potential in Lebanon
Livia Murray
Entrepreneurship: Eight ways to boost your productivity
Easy steps to avoid the day running away from you
Tara Nehme
COMPANIES & STRATEGIES
The new face of brand advocates
Communications experts offer tips on empowering employees
Ramsay Najjar , Michele Azrak and Zeina Loutfi
The enduring power of memes
How advertising firms are catching on to the Internet’s most viral trends
Jasmina Najjar
Investing in the future of Arab cinema
Cinephilia screenwriting lab seeks to develop Arab talent
Maya Sioufi
HOSPITALITY
Mario e Mario – Beirut’s freshest Italian restaurant
Home Cooked Italian food in Mar Mikhael
Nabila Rahhal
BUSINESS ESSENTIALS
LAST WORD
Freedom of expression under fire
explosion
Lebanese journalists feel under threat and underprotected
Lama Fakih