Meeting at Madar Company 23/4/2009

The Attendants:

 Mr. Muhammed Daaboul, the President of the Syrian- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Bassam Khoja, the Vice President of the Syrian- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Karim Maasarani, the Secretary of the Syrian- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Ammar Zuhair Katranji, the Founding Member at the Syrian- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Arslan Sinno, the President of the Lebanese- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Said Daouk, the Founding Member at the Lebanese- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Garbis Dantziguian, the Founding Member at the Lebanese- Canadian Businessmen Association.
 Mr. Fayek Tadros, the Founding Member at the Jordanian- Canadian Businessmen Association.

The Discussed Ideas

Mr. Arslan Sinno commended the warm welcome he received and expressed his gratitude and pleasure for accepting the invitation.
He also talked about the possibility of having a more effective cooperation among the Jordanian- Lebanese- Syrian- Canadian Associations to achieve the common interests and that's to be done through getting the agenda of the Association and carrying it out.
Moreover, Mr. Arslan said that the agenda and the objectives of the Lebanese Canadian Businessmen Association are going to be announced in two weeks.
He also stressed the following points:
• The Lebanese Canadian Association should take into consideration all the concerns of the other parties.
• Holding joint meetings with "Canada Day" and welcoming the possible presence of the businessmen willing to participate.
• In case there is an idea of traveling to Canada, the Lebanese Association would be ready to take part in it.

Mr. Muhammad Daaboul stressed the importance of Holding private sessions and strengthening the partnership and relations between the Canadian Embassy and the Association in every country, and coordinating the Syrian- Canadian visits. Mr. Daaboul spoke about the previous successful visit to Canada which was met with great interest and attention from the Canadian Embassy, Furthermore, it was agreed to set important appointments by the Canadian side through the Embassy where the purpose of this visit was basically activating the Syrian - Canadian relations.
He also praised the wonderful reception of the Syrian community where the honorary consuls and the expatriate businessmen, including, Mr. Fares Attar, Mr. Khardaji and Mr. Alzaybaque Arranged bilateral and general meetings of all the members of the delegation with the Syrian community in Canada.
Mr. Daaboul recommended having essential and clear objectives in case of intending to visit Canada in order that the Canadian Embassy and the expatriates in Canada may take part in supporting these objectives through meetings and conventions proposed by them. Based on this comes the importance of accomplishing a large scale cooperation between the Embassy and the Association in every country for the good of both sides.

Mr. Arslan pointed out that an advantage had been taken of the opportunity of "Montreal" which was organized by the Canadian Embassy in Beirut to hold a meeting with the Minister of Foreign affairs, the Minister of Culture and the Chairman of transportation Ministry to activate the line of Beirut- Montreal.
He also suggested the following:
• Working on organizing a weekly Lebanese exhibition in Montreal to be a window on Lebanon.
• Improving relations with Canada and trying to elevate the country, for Canada is considered one of the developed countries in all domains.

Mr. Karim Maasarani emphasized the following:
• We should concentrate on information exchange which's the base of business.
• We should concentrate on a program for archiving information and connecting it among the three Associations (Jordan- Lebanon- Syria) through the websites.
• Organizing a joint triple committee for carrying out a particular common project (such as scientific project among the Jordanian- Lebanese- Syrian young people).
• Commencing realistic businesses for the good of every one. (Prompt action is very important).

Mr. Fayek Tadros spoke of an internet project for Trader called " Trade Point Network " and he said that we should have a central database that includes the available products in the world and trying to provide a list of prices and specifications for them (only for the members in Syria, Canada, Lebanon and Jordan) through the website, facilitating the trade exchange process and distributing information about the products all over the local market. Also, it's possible to have access the website by paying an annual subscription of $500 and sharing this sum with representatives.
Mr. Fayek Tadros also emphasized that there will be a presentation concerning this matter.

Mr. Muhammad Daaboul highlighted the following issues:
• The availability of many producers without having a sufficient marketing means which's considered a serious dilemma.
• Sending for external goods by Arab traders which lead to competing the internal ones.
• 80% of industry of the Arab world is mini factories.
• There's a commercial information shortage in the Arab world that's why we should have powerful information net.

Mr. Garbis Dantziguian stressed the importance of forming committees (Syrian- Lebanese and Jordanian committees) under the supervision of Canada trade office of businessmen belonging to the same sector of activity and who have the same interests.

Mr. Arslan Sinno suggested concentrating on the available strong sectors in Canada such as firefighting planes, electricity power or atomic stations for peaceful purposes in order to supply three countries (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan) with electric power due to the developed technology Canada has. He added that Canada has significant sectors such as ICT Technology, Agriculture Food and also export projects with easy conditions.

Mr. Bassam Khoja said that each Association should select one person in order to form the committee.

Mr. Karim Maasarani emphasized the official election and accomplishing an accord note between the three Associations. He added that they should form the committee, make the signature, appoint the deadline at the same meeting and make a series of business under the supervision of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Arslan Sinno suggested to update the three Associations ' websites and link them together.

Mr. Muhammad Daaboul suggested inviting the Jordanian and Lebanese Associations in case there's an invitation to SYCAB by the Embassy.
He recommended establishing languages institute where there would be Canadian teachers for the French- English language, in addition to teaching Arabic language by Arab teachers. He added that donations would be collected by members themselves.

Mr. Karim Maasarani stressed that the purposes of the three Associations should be in favor of the human, educational and commercial cooperation among Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Canada.

Finally, Mr. Muhammad Daaboul asked Mr. Fayek Tadros to inform his e-mail for the correspondence, as they agreed to accomplish an accord note among these three Associations.

Muhammad Daaboul, Bassam Khoja, Karim Maaasarani, Ammar Zuheir Katranji, Arslan Sinno, Garbis Dantziguian, Fayek Tadros.

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