The 9th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) is jointly organized by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). It will be hosted this year by Lebanon and chaired by Dr. Kamal Shehadi, chairman and CEO of the TRA.

GSR’09 is an event of utmost importance to reposition Lebanon as a regional leader in telecommunications and to boost the telecommunications sector. The TRA has been working extensively during the last months to organize the event as per international standards.

Within a very short period, the TRA has been able to secure more than 25 sponsors from the most reputable regional and international telecommunications companies and financial institutions out of which 3 Gold sponsors.

The TRA team is also in charge of preparing for the communication and media coverage of the event. A press conference had taken place at Habtoor on October 28, 2009 to announce the launch and the official program of the GILF/GSR.

On another level, an elaborate organization has been put in place to ensure a smooth and organized arrival of all GSR delegates. TRA has been coordinating with various ministries and state agencies, including with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for protocol and visa issues at Lebanese embassies abroad, the Ministry of Interior for the security of the venue, and the General Directorate of General Security for visas at the Rafic Hariri Beirut International Airport.

In parallel, the TRA is doing its best to promote Lebanon throughout the event. Gifts, including the book Memories of Beirut and an interactive DVD (Lebanon in 360HD) will be distributed to all participants to introduce them to the country and its culture. The TRA has secured the sponsorship of Banque Audi for the organization of the Gala Dinner at the Serail of Deir el Kamar.