Engineer Nassif Seklaoui, President and General Director of the Lebanese Regie announced that the Institution achieved a 7% increase in sales and a 14.5% rise in revenues in 2024, despite the challenging circumstances, affirming that the Regie remains committed to strengthening its position as a regional and international hub for tobacco cultivation, manufacturing and production.
Seklaoui made this statement during a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Regie’s headquarters in Hadat, in tribute of retiring employees at the end of their service.
The event was also attended by members of the Board of Directors, including Engineer Georges Hobeika, Dr. Issam Salman, and Dr. Mazen Abboud, along with representatives of the Ministry of Finance and several senior officials from the Regie.
After screening a short film featuring messages by the Regie’s retired employees, Seklaoui addressed the audience, reflecting on the hardships faced by the organization and the country. “We gather here today, while still mourning for those we lost in the recent war and for those who suffered displacement and separation from their land,” he said, paying tribute to the memory of the departed and applauding the resilience of those who remain persistent.
Addressing the retiring employees, Seklaoui stated: “It is with a heavy heart that I part with colleagues who have become family after all we’ve experienced together: moments of joy and sorrow, successes and challenges, achievements and even wars,” he said, emphasizing the strong bonds forged through years of shared struggles and accomplishments.
Seklaoui recalled that "the Regie successfully maintained leadership and control during wartime, ensuring uninterrupted operations and business continuity”.
He also highlighted the Regie's unwavering efforts to support farmers, overcoming significant security and logistical challenges to facilitate processes from seedling distribution to advance payments.
On the production front, Seklaoui commended the dedication of employees who worked tirelessly, often late into the night, to keep the factories running. “Their commitment enabled us to increase sales by 7% and boost revenues by 14% before taxes and customs—an extraordinary achievement in peacetime, let alone during war,” he stated.
Highlighting that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the Regie, Seklaoui attributed the success of the Institution to the unwavering dedication of its "loyal and committed" workforce.
Speaking to the retirees, he remarked: “For 45 years, you have been an integral part of the Regie, of its history, its achievements, and its growth. You have served as key pillars in building this institution, which will always remain grateful for every drop of sweat you shed and every milestone you helped achieve.”
Seklaoui added that "an employee who leaves a mark is never forgotten; their contributions are etched in the institution’s history and in the hearts of their colleagues, who continue to draw inspiration from their journey."
“Those who leave Regie never truly depart”, he added. “They remain with us—through every challenge we face and every achievement we accomplish.”
He continued, “We gather today not just to pay tribute to endings; we are also here to embrace new beginnings: the beginning of the new chapter of your life after years of hard work; the beginning of a new era in the country with the election of a new president whom we hope will bring the stability and prosperity we strive for, and the beginning of a new era for the Regie. The organization, he said, is entering a fresh phase as it celebrates its 90th anniversary. On this occasion, the Regie is unveiling its new identity, reflecting its ongoing commitment to innovation, and global outreach. It reaffirms our pledge to modernization and excellence, reinforcing our position as a leading institution—not only regionally but also globally—in tobacco cultivation and production, while maintaining our leadership in sustainability and social development.”
Shreif
In his speech, the head of the Syndicate of laborers and Staff of the Regie, Hussam Shreif, affirmed that “the Regie employees form one united family whose members work hand in hand, especially in times of adversity, as was evident during the recent war."
Shreif
also expressed gratitude for Speaker Nabih Berri’s unwavering support, highlighting his efforts in securing financial assistance for tobacco farmers whose crops were destroyed, homes damaged, and livelihoods disrupted.
Addressing the honorees, he said, "You have been an essential part of every success we have achieved. Through your dedication and perseverance, you helped build a strong and resilient institution. You planted the seeds of excellence, and now it is time to reap the rewards. Each of you carries a story of achievement—overcoming challenges with determination, teamwork, and an unwavering spirit."
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of gifts and medals to the departing employees.