IRI's Director General, Dr. Bassam Fenn, held the annual dinner under the auspices of the Minister of Industry, Mr. Vrej Sabounjian, at Mhanna restaurant. Attending the dinner were former Minister Elias Hanna and IRI staff.
H.E. Minister Sabounjian gave a speech in which he stated that any institution that ensures sustainability, financial stability, and provides new job opportunities in these difficult economic times, which custodians deserves praise, as industrialists in Lebanon require additional effort to cope with industrial modernization.
He said: the success IRI achieved during the past 15 years is because it started out with virtually non-existent means, and with a less than ten employees, while today it employs 140 persons. This is proof that challenge along with determination lead to you undreamed of success. IRI has won numerous awards in the past year, and I am confident that you are capable of many more awards, if you keep working with the same dedication, sincerity, and perseverance.
Minister Sabounjian said that many people criticize some actions taken by the government, I respect all views including theirs, but I stress that Lebanon is a democratic country, and enjoys a free economy, and encourages individual initiative, and everyone should recognize that the government was able to ensure stability in Lebanon despite economic crises and disturbances in the region and the world, emphasizing that stability is the most important achievement of this government that works with all seriousness and responsibility.
In his turn, Dr. Frenn discussed the achievements that IRI made during the past 14 years which led to the development of the Institute and outfitted its laboratories with the latest technologies securing more than 100 jobs for engineers, experts, technicians and administrators. He linked IRI to a network of partners such as institutions and international laboratories, through cooperation agreements. He recalled the difficulties encountered in the past phase due to political circumstances and lack of funding. He stressed that determination and team work are the key factors behind IRI's success, making it a self-sufficient institute that does not constitute a burden on the state.
In addition, Dr. Frenn explained the key role that IRI played in cooperation with LIBNOR in releasing more than 1,000 standards and specifications within four years. Dr. Bassam explained that IRI's need for expansion will occur much sooner than it was expected to occur (year 2015). The rapid development and expansion of laboratories, embracing ELCIM, the Euro-Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernization, LCPC, the Lebanese Cleaner Production Centre and the Quality Club, and absorbing new specialized experts, accelerated the need for a new building.
