American Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Appointed First Liaison to League of Arab States.

Business Editors, City & News Desks

DEARBORN, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2002

For the first time in its 56 years, the League of Arab States has appointed an Arab American to help build bridges and cultivate understanding between Americans and the people of the countries that comprise the League.

Nasser M. Beydoun, executive director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit, was appointed liaison in January.

Amre Moussa, Arab League secretary-general, stated in his appointment letter, "You could be a focal point and liaison that could help relay the message of peace and cooperation promoted by the Arab League" and help establish "a better dialogue between the Arab world and the United States."

This position will help fulfill the secretary-general's goal of creating a more dynamic League, focusing on economic issues and creating a regional economic bloc. In addition, Moussa believes that Arab American input will be vital in strengthening and expanding the rule of law and democratic values in member states as well as improving the lives of the people of the region.

Goals for the position will be jointly developed during Moussa's visit to the United States in February.

Beydoun, age 37 and a native of Bint Jebail, Lebanon, spearheaded the first Arab Economic Summit held in the U.S. in mid-November, in which Secretary-General Moussa and four Washington-based Arab ambassadors participated.

Beydoun said, "The Arab League, which represents the 21 Arab countries of the world, believes that misinformation and misconceptions exist about Arab people, their culture and their intentions. The League wants to dispel the myths through outreach to business leaders, government officials and Arab American citizens who are willing to share their input, feedback and concerns and who are open to breaking down barriers.

"As an American, I am honored to have the opportunity to help build bridges of communication and understanding between America and the Arab world," he said.

Beydoun has served as American Arab Chamber Executive Director since 1999. He also operates several Detroit area businesses. He was president of Business Source International, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of fresh and frozen foods in San Diego, California, from 1997 to 1999. From 1995 to 1997, he was Channel/Category Manager, Latin America, for Hi-Tron USA, LLC, a Korean manufacturer of closed-circuit television, telecommunications and security products.

Beydoun holds an MBA in marketing and finance and a BBA in management from the University of San Diego as well as an Associate of Business and Science degree from Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn. He was raised in the Detroit area, which is home to the largest concentration of people of Arab descent outside the Middle East.

He is on the boards of New Detroit, Inc.; Henry Ford Community College Foundation; Girl Scouts of Michigan; and International Association for Organ Donation. Beydoun is a member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn's School of Management Dean's Advisory Board; Davenport University Presidents' Corporate Advisory Board; Comerica Bank's Small Business Customer Advisory Council; Detroit Public Schools Capital Improvement Program Committee and the Michigan Economic Development Corporations Advisory Committee, where he chairs the subcommittee on healthcare.