Under the patronage of the Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil, the Regie organizes on March 28th the first national conference to combat illicit trade in Beirut. It gathers around 600 participants, including international experts, Arab delegations, general directors, Lebanese ministerial and security officials, and representatives of legislative and judicial authorities. A universal conference that the Regie organizes within its sustainable development strategy under the title “Your Economy… you protect it”; an unprecedented initiative to protect the national economy and treasury revenues, especially that the Regie provides the national treasury with the fifth largest revenue.
The Regie’s General Director Mr. Nassif Saqlawy stressed the importance of this conference, as an "initiative that contributes, due to its developmental dimension, to laying a reform roadmap that tackles the steps required to gradually reduce the crime against the nation that takes a great toll on national treasury along with its catastrophic consequences to the consumer.”
The conference proceeds from tobacco products’ illicit trade to discuss the problem of smuggling from a comprehensive approach that focuses on reducing the supply and demand of smuggled goods. The agenda of the conference includes an overview of the reality of public institut"
As for Seklaoui, he welcomed Bassil's visit and thanked him for his interest and appreciation for the success of the Regie.