The British Syrian Society

Conference Programme

08.00h - 09.00h		Registration and coffee

09.00h - 09.15h		Opening Session: Opening remarks: Dr. Fawaz Akhras, Co-Chairman, British Syrian Society

09.15h - 10.45h		Panel Session One: Transformed Business Environment: International viewpoint Moderated by: Wafic Said, Chairman, Said Holdings Limited • Guy Gantley, Middle East/North Africa Economic Advisor, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK • Bashar Jazmati, Manager Middle East/Africa, HSBC Bank plc • Peter Young, Director, Adam Smith International, UK

10.45h - 11.15h		Coffee Break

11.15h - 11.45h		Keynote Speech: H.E. Dr Abdullah Dardari, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Syrian Arab Republic

11.45h - 13.15h		Panel Session Two: Success Stories of Investors Moderated by: Brian Constant, Treasurer, British Syrian Society • Daudi Lelijveld, Vice-President of National Sugar Company, Syria • Gordan Carrick, Senior Vice President Operations, Petro-Canada • Dr. Mohamad Al Sakka, Dean, Faculty of Business, Kalamoun University, Syria • Robin Cole-Hamilton, Director, Massar - The Children's Project

13.15h - 14.30h		Lunch: Haberdashers' Hall Reception Gallery Sponsored by Bank Audi

14.30h - 15.00h		Keynote Speech: H.E. Dr. Adib Mayaleh, Governor, Central Bank of Syria

15.00h - 16.15h		Panel Session Three: Getting Established in Syria Moderated by: Costi Chehlaoui, Vice Chairman Syria Kuwait Insurance and Advisor Syria Gulf Bank • David Freeman, Solicitor and Consultant, Thomas Eggar Solicitors, UK • Bassel Hamwi, Deputy Chairman and General Manager, Bank Audi, Syria • Amer Moujtahed, Director Information Technology, Syriatel Mobile Telecom • Alistair Drew, Director, Willis Re

16.15h - 16.45h		Tea Break

16.45h - 18.00h		Panel Session Four: Syria in a Changing Political Climate Moderated by: Ghayth Armanazi, Executive Director, British Syrian Society • HE Dr Faisal Al Miqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, Syria Arab Republic • Peter Ford, Former Ambassador to Syria and Representative of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees • Raymond Hinnebusch, Professor, Centre for Syrian Studies, University of St. Andrews

18.00h - 18.15h		Closing Remarks Sir Gavyn Arthur, Lord Mayor 2002 - 2003, City of London

18.45h		Cocktail Reception at Gibson Hall Garden Room Sponsored by Said Holdings Limited Guest violinist: Maria Arnaout Guest pianist: Radwan Zerikly

20.00h		Gala Dinner, Gibson Hall Banqueting Suite Sponsored by Said Holdings Limited Keynote speech: Rt. Hon. Michael Ancram, QC, Member of Parliament Introduced by: Sir Andrew Green, Co-Chairman, Britsh Syrian Society Vote of thanks: H.E. Dr. Sami Khiyami, Syrian Ambassador to London