Bethlehem Development Foundation holds a Christmas lunch at the Convention Palace
On Saturday, 22nd of January, 2022, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Samer Saeed Khoury, invited the Bethlehem Development Foundation (BDF) patrons, trustees, directors, stakeholders and partners to a luncheon at the Convention Palace in Bethlehem, Palestine.
In his welcoming speech, Mr. Khoury opened with importance of this meeting, which is the first to be held after the outbreak of the pandemic. He stressed the need to cooperate at all levels in order to contribute towards the accelerated regeneration of the tourism sector in Bethlehem.
Mr. Khoury highlighted the continued commitment of the BDF and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) in investing and promoting the development of the Bethlehem Governorate and in partnership with civil society institutions, as well as, the public and private sectors. Mr. Khoury discussed the need to focus on projects that will provide young men and women with the skills needed to enter the marketplace and the importance of investing in addressing youth unemployment.
Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Managing Director/CEO, presented BDF’s current projects, guided by a clear and compelling projection of what the foundation plans to achieve on the short-term, as well as a long-term sustainable vision to revitalize the Governorate. Dr. Daibes highlighted the role of BDF as a development leader and a transformational change agent in developing the vison and in cooperation with all partners. BDF is keen on contributing towards a greener and more sustainable Bethlehem Governorate, specifically around popular tourism sites. Ongoing projects include promoting street lighting efforts with solar energy and the revitalization of public spaces and pedestrian sidewalks and street furniture through incorporating green efforts sustainable solutions.
Amongst the guests who attended were the Foundations’ patrons, his beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, HE Bishop Munib Younan, H.E Minister of AL Wakf Hatem Bakri, representatives of local churches, the Governor, Mayors of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Doha, Alkhader and several esteemed community leaders.
The meeting included a speech by Engineer George Bassous, the General Manager of the Convention Palace. At the end of the gathering Mr. Samer Khoury on behalf of the trustees and directors honored Mr. Mazen Karam in appreciation for his dedication as the former CEO of BDF.