On the 30th of April 2018 The Luxury Network International Awards 2018 was held at the Hilton Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon, in partnership with Cael and under the patronage of the Lebanese President Of Council Of Ministers Saad Hariri.

The ceremony was attended by 550 people and honoured a number of business, cultural, media and artistic figures as well as a number of Arab and international luxury brands in order to enhance the economic, commercial and tourism destinations between Lebanon and the world. The ambassadors from different countries also participated in honouring important brands from their countries to highlight and open horizons.

The President of Cael, Mrs. Amal Shouman Suleiman, delivered a speech in which she said that she had merged Cael’s initiative in a partnership with The Luxury Network International, and requested the support of the ambassadors of countries in Lebanon to promote the products of their countries and opened the way to introduce them to the Lebanese market in order to enhance trade and economic cooperation between Lebanon and the world.

H.E. Fares Ghattas, global ceo, of The Luxury Network International, said that the company has worked with leading brands in Asia, Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa and has established 28 offices around the world, adding that the mission today is to honor established companies in the luxury industry and identify luxury brands Both locally and internationally, as well as create new business opportunities.

The ceremony was honoured by prominent figures from the Lebanese community and from various fields. As well as Moueen Shreif the famous Lebanese singer and the international journalist Raghida dergham.

The ceremony was inaugurated by awarding Mrs. Leila Al-Solh in recognition of her distinguished humanitarian work. The Embassy of Qatar in Lebanon and two commercial brands were honoured from Qatar (Qatar Airways as The Best Luxury Airline of the year and Hamad Port as best port in the middle east).

Merritt Royal Vice President Nabil Shoman from Cyprus received the best luxury hotel in Europe award, the pioneers of Yachts industry Sunseeker from the UK received the award of the luxury yacht of the year, Amaline Restaurant from Lebanon received the best Lebanese restaurant award and Caratell an Asian jeweller received the best jewellery award of the year.

The Moroccan fashion designer Meriem Belkhayat was awarded best Caftan Designer of the year. The owner and founder of the boutique Amici Di Moda, Ms. Amal El Amine was awarded best luxury boutique in the middle east.

Leading manufacturer Maatouq Holding International from the UAE, the Veer luxury boutique hotel in Beirut, the AI Vienna Asian restaurant and cosmetic surgeon Toni Nassar also received awards.

The ceremony was attended by a number of political, cultural, media and artistic figures as well as a high-level diplomatic presence that included United Kingdom Ambassador Hugo Shorter, Qatari Ambassador Ali Al Marri, Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Al Gharin, Belgian Ambassador Alex Lennartes, Minister Basem Al Shab, Minister of Information Melhem Al-Riyashi, represented by the Director of the National Media Agency, Mrs. Laure Soliman Saab, the Minister of Social Affairs Pierre Bou Assi, represented by his wife Mrs. Rima Bou Assi, Bangladesh Ambassador Abdulmutallab Sarkar, India Ambassador Sanjeev Arora, Serbia Amir Fik, Austrian Ambassador Marian Warba, former Minister Laila Solh Hamada, Awni Alkaki, Ambassador Elie Turk, Dean of the Consular Corps Joseph Habis, Fouad Makhzoumi and a number of journalists, businessmen and women from the world of luxury.