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Toufic Kawar

International export and finance advisor

A longstanding career as a banker and entrepreneur dealing with HNIW clients and
royalties.


Started off as a Citibank International Staff within the corporate bank then assigned to its subsidiary Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) in Riyadh.
Was responsible for construction finance and assisted many of the largest Saudi Arabian and international construction, trading and maintenance companies obtain financing (often through syndications) for mega projects in the Saudi Kingdom. Developed major banking relationships with these companies and their family owners.

Transferred to Citibank Private Bank based Paris, responsible for developing Middle East and Africa private banking and investments in France with marketing responsibilities across Europe and USA.

 

In this capacity he took the senior role in marketing Gulf based clients and financing of major real estate acquisitions projects in France on behalf of these clients. Assisted French banks and industrial operators access the private placement market in the Middle East and Africa.

 

In 1993 used his construction background and the extensive contacts at the highest political and corporate levels to obtain for SAMBA the corporate finance and distribution mandates for the Solidere IPO.

 

The complex and high visibility transaction for the reconstruction of downtown Beirut, after its civil war, raised over $900 million in equity.

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In 1995 was invited by the President of the Upper Duma of Russia to give banking lectures to major Russian banks. The visit was followed by several other visits with Citibank and SAMBA senior managers to create business relationships with Russian companies.

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In recent years intensively involved in fund raising - real estate projects in: Gulf Area                                  Levant   

North Africa - Africa                 Europe - Eastern Europe

Former Vice President of Citibank

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General Manager of Saudi American Bank (SAMBA)

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Financial Advisor to HRH Prince Nawaf Bin Abdul Aziz

In this capacity he took the senior role in marketing Gulf based clients and financing of major real estate acquisitions projects in France on behalf of these clients. Assisted French banks and industrial operators access the private placement market in the Middle East and Africa.


In 1993 used his construction background and the extensive contacts at the highest political and corporate levels to obtain for SAMBA the corporate finance and distribution mandates for the Solidere IPO.

 

The complex and high visibility transaction for the reconstruction of downtown Beirut, after its civil war, raised over $900 million in equity.

 

In 1995 was invited by the President of the Upper Duma of Russia to give banking lectures to major Russian banks. The visit was followed by several other visits with Citibank and SAMBA senior managers to create business relationships with Russian
companies.

Budo biography

Karate – Shihan – 7th Dan
Kendo – 3rd Dan
Ju Jitsu – 2nd Dan
Aikibudo – Kobudo– 1st Dan
Judo – 1st Dan

  • November 1964 - To date - Instructor - Sponsor - Organizer of Martial Arts Courses and Festivals: Judo - Karate - Kendo - Ju Jitsu - Aikibudo - Kobudo.

  • Organization and sponsorship of several events and martial arts seminars in France, USA, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Latvia and Lebanon in collaboration with world champions and professionals of Martial Arts.

  • Graduate of Japanese martial arts academies (JKA Shotokan, Kodokan, Aikikai).

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  • 1964 Starts Judo then Karate in Lebanon with Sensei A. Chancho and Sensei Fukami from japan.

  • 1967 Joins Sensei H. Okamoto Chief Instructor of the JKA for the Middle East and Africa.

  • 1973 (March 15th) obtains his black belt and trains in Lebanon in 15 clubs until 1975.

  • 1975 Leaves Lebanon for France and trains in Paris at the Montagne Sainte Geneviève.

  • 1977 Leaves France to prepare his MBA in the USA and gives karate lessons in Florida.

  • 1977 Training with Sensei S. Takashina Chief Instructor of the JKA in the South West of the USA.

  • 1979 Joins Citibank and trains karate in Saudi Arabia.

  • 1986 Starts Kendo at the Sports Association of Paris Police (ASPP).

  • 1986 Continues his Karate and Ju Jitsu training.

  • 1987 Sponsors several ASPP seminars and is rewarded with the Paris Police Medal.

  • 1990 Starts the Aikibudo and Kobudo with Sensei A. Floquet (10th Dan).

  • 1993 Organizes and sponsors Michael Milon’s seminar in Lebanon.

  • 1994 Sponsors the ASPP's trip to Romania for the European Police Championships.

  • 1995 Organizes and sponsors the seminar of Christophe Pinna and Hassan Fekkak in Lebanon.

  • 1995 Sponsors the Police Children's Championships at the ASPP.

  • 2000 Trains Judo with Sensei V. Zelonijs in Riga Latvia.

  • 2000 Initiates Kendo in Latvia. Sponsors and organizes several seminarssand competitions.

  • 2001 Organizes the first Martial Arts Festival in Latvia. Two Karate Stars are present - Michael Milon and

         Christophe Pinna as well as several great French, Russian and Ukrainian masters.

  • 2002 Organizes and manages the trip of Christophe Pinna and Hassan Fekkak to Dubai (USA) to train

  • Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed, Governor of Dubai.

  • 2005 Initiates Judo at the Albert Camus School in Rabat - Morocco. Offers, Tatami, kimono and coaching fees.

  • 2005 Invites Master Alain Floquet (10th Dan) for a seminar for Aikibudo and Kobudo in Latvia.

  • 2006 Sponsor the Kendo seminar with Japanese masters (Takeda, Saito & Kobayashi each 7th Dan).

  • 2006 Organizes and sponsors Tonfa seminar in Latvia. Coaches are: Paris Police and SNCF of France.

  • 2006 Organizes and sponsors the trip and stay of Aikibudo team of Sensei A. Osnach of Latvia for an internship in Paris with Maitre Alain Floquet.

  • 2009 As Honorary Consul of Latvia in Rabat sponsors the Karate World

  • Championship held in Rabat - Morocco.

  • 2009 Appointed Vice President of the FIAB - Aikibudo Kobudo of Maitre Floquet.

  • 2014 Sponsors the trip of Judokas from Cote d'Ivoire to Morocco for the Throne Day Competition.

  • 2015 Organizes the first Martial Arts Festival in Lebanon and the Middle East. Present are 15 countries and 120 participants including the Shaolin monks from China. Honorary Guests are Maitre S. Sanogo - Presidents F. Boubakar and I. Angbo

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