The Regie had received a delegation of Philip Morris International, which included the Manager of Agriculture in Balkan and Middle East Mr. Cuneyt Aytac, the Manager of agricultural programs in Turkey Mr. Zafer Yildiz, as well, the Manager of Leaf Tobacco in Balkan and Middle East Mr. Adnan Ondogan.
The delegation had met the Manager of Leaf Tobacco as well as the Manager of Agriculture and Purchase in order to emphasis the cooperation between the Regie and PMI. In addition, they had discussed projects that would be executed during 2016, in Lebanon, which come in the context of such cooperation.
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Khalil spoke during a ceremony held yesterday, Friday, in Hilton Habtour Hotel, honoring the Regie’s retired and distinguished staff, in the presence of the Regie’s President and General Manager Nassif Seklaoui, members of the Administration Committee; Georges Hobeika, Mahmoud Sanjakdar, Dr. Issam Salman, and Mazen Abboud, as well as representatives of the tutorship authority.
Khalil said: “whenever I attend an event related to the Regie I feel proud, and I regain confidence in our nation, since every occasion of these represents a step toward a better future”. He added: “we never had that kind of feeling, as if we were in a vicious cycle on the political level; where public institutions are inactive and day after another people lose confidence in this nation. However there is an institution that is the total contrary; and all public administrations shall resemble it; namely the Regie.”
He considered that the Regie has proven “the capability of public sector to success and persist whenever there would be a will. Only then, this sector would become productive, successful, and distinguished”. “Today, we restore our confidence that we are on the right track and that we are providing profits for this nations that go beyond financial aspects to reach the reintroduction of a new image of public sector and responsibility in handling it.”
Khalil
Khalil underlined “the natural integrity between the public sector and its employees, which constitutes a major factor of success through the confidence established between the employee and the administration. Such relation passes beyond the regulations of the law, actually it becomes the responsibility of the house, society, parents, and social responsibility in the first place”. He continued: “over the course of the years, rivalry between the institutions in public sector was passive but the Regie shows a new phenomenon of cooperation o the level of the Administration Committee; which represents the secrets for success.” He addressed to the honored staff and said: “from my governmental position I bow to your sacrifices, and I feel so proud to witness the sweat every one of you had paid over those years. Saying so, I feel that each one leaves a position to another in which you will be able to give as much as you have given your organization; namely love, support, and solidarity. The Regie’s initiative to establish the House of Ex-Labors is a great example for the continuity of the relation between you and you colleagues, who still pursue their job.”
He said: “just as the example of the Regie, we would like for the rest of the officials to overcome their disagreements and to realize that the country is disparate to devoted efforts that restore the work of the major political institutions that ensure the continuity of this nation. Thus, we rely on the latest vitality on the political level that would enhance the state’s work resulting in presidential elections as well as governmental and parliamentary order, and restoring the people’s trust in a government that is able to solve the problems and establish future visions that supervise major economic and social problems.” He added: “with so much responsibility I tell you that we face serious challenges during this year on financial and economic level, which requires a well ordered State, which will be able to make decisive steps starting with supervising the expenditure and preventing misspending, ending with establishing reforming policies for every institution, which would lead to a real reform that restore the State’s credibility for the future.”
Seklaoui
In turn, Seklaoui said: “years ago, the number of retired exceeded 100 employees annually, since the average age at the Regie was more than 57 years ago, when I assumed my duties. However, today we honor 25 employees due to the decrease of the average age to less than 47 years old. The Regie now has young elements that we constantly feel their vibe.”
He ensured that the Regie wants to prove that this country has vivid spirits that hold a national message; not just words and clichés, rather hard work and efforts”. He added: “our message is a message of hope in the future, the nation, as well as in the return of public sector and fair State”.
He pointed that the Regie will try to “underline this will” through its activities for this year, as it steps toward its diamond jubilee after a journey of 80 years.”
He stressed that the Regie is among the pioneer establishments in the domain of evaluation, namely the evaluation of the employees’ performance as well as the directors’.”
While he listed the major accomplishments of the Regie during 2015, he announced that “the action plan of the sustainable developments will be launched during 2016, as well as the launch of a new production line.” He revealed that the Regie’s present for the retired is the establishment of the House of Ex-Labors near the Regie’s establishment, which would serve as a place of relaxation and would hold their events”.
Yatim
The ceremony had been inaugurated by a speech from the Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Nahla Slim, followed by a
short movie about the employee of the year Mr. Georges Hobeika.
Then, the Chairman of the Syndicate of Laborers and Staff of the Regie, Kamal Yatim spoke and stressed the efforts paid by the honored staff “in the most critical situations”, as well as the “devotion and responsibility” with which they performed their duties. Moreover, he considered the Regie as the pearl of the public sector’s institutions.
Offering golden medals
Later, golden medals were offered to the 25 retired. As well, 37 distinguished employees among the staff were honored; among them 4 merited commendation and rewards for their distinction in their departments.
The event had held a musical performance by the singer Nader Atat and the band Omar El Solh for Folk Dancing.