Networking

Cisco Systems, one of the world leaders in networking solutions for the lnterqet with $18.9 billion in revenues, decided to open a regional office in Lebanon. The office will manage the Levant as well as Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Even though Cisco claims to have over 70% of the local market, its office will operate in a country that has often been unfriendly toward investors. EXECUTIVE spoke with Mohamad Abdul-Malak, Cisco’s area manager, about its reasons for choosing Lebanon and the company’s plans for the future Several foreign companies have ongoing disputes with the Lebanese government. Wouldn’t H have been better to set up your office in another country? ABDUL–MALAK We see Lebanon as more dynamic compared to neighboring countries. Lebanon has a better business climate, which is due to private investors. When you look at Jordan and Syria, most of the projects are government-related. We cannot depend