Name Hany Salam | Children Princess Ghida al-Talal | |
Hany M. Salaam (Arabic: هاني سلام) is the current chairman and CEO of Gulf Resources Corporation (GRC) an international group of companies specialising in the exploration and development of energy, mining and smelting of related natural resources. Salaam graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Salaam became a successful entrepreneur from the outset of his career establishing a network of companies throughout the Middle East, Europe, North America and Africa and has acted as Chairman to GRC since its inception.
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Family Background
Salaam born in Lebanon was raised in a successful business and politically orientated family which presumably formed the basis of his future entrepreneurial and diplomatic activities. His father Muhammad Salaam in partnership with his paternal uncle Saeb Salaam founded Middle East Airlines (Lebanon’s national airline) in 1948. Saeb Salaam also served as Prime Minister of Lebanon as did another of Salaam’s paternal uncles Rashid Karami. On Salaam’s maternal side his uncle Dr. Hussein Fakri Khalidi served as Prime Minister of Jordan.
Salaam's eldest daughter Ghida married HRH Prince Talal Bin Muhammad a Jordanian Royal in Amman July, 1991. They have two sons and one daughter: Prince Hussein, Prince Muhammad & Princess Raaja. Princess Ghida acts as chairperson to the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. Salaam has been married twice. He has four children from his first marriage; HRH Ghida, Dalia, Mohamed and Yasser, and two from his second marriage; Fatima and Jaa'far.
Political Endeavours
Salaam served his country as a Presidential Envoy under the governments of Presidents Suleiman Franjieh, Elias Sarkis and Amin Gemayel. He achieved success as Head of the Lebanese delegation and with his partner Mahdi Al Tajir negotiated with the late President Hafez al-Assad, securing the peace accords (known as Taif) which ended the Lebanese Civil War.
Educational Activities
Salaam supports various charitable and educational ventures. One of his most notable educational ventures was the establishment of Salaam Intercultural Resource Centre in Georgetown University, Washington DC. The Salaam Centre was established by a grant from the Salaam Family and dedicated by former president Jimmy Carter in 1989. The Salaam Centre houses the MSFS (Master of Science in Foreign Services) programme. The centre provides its students with exclusive educational tools/materials and organises high-profile seminars aimed at the promotion of a better international and cultural understanding. Salaam has also been known to personally sponsor the University education of many deserving student.
Honours
HM King Jaa’far of Malaysia bestowed on Salaam the prestigious title of Dato' Seri and was also awarded with the Congressional Medal of Honour of the Philippines.