Dr Louis Hobeika holds a PhD in Economics and Finance from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA).  He wrote his MA thesis on “An Econometric Analysis of the Equilibrium in the French Balance of Payments” under the supervision of Nobel Laureate Professor Lawrence Klein (1977) and his PhD dissertation on “Dividend Policy” under the supervision of Wharton School Professor Irwin Friend (1980).  He then became Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at Universite Saint Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon (1980/1989).  He then worked at the World Bank in Washington DC on the economies of Sub Saharan Africa and on modeling commodities (1989/1994).

He became for a year a consultant for the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting in Doha, Qatar before joining Sodetel as its Chairman and CEO (1994/2003).  Sodetel is a leading telecommunications company owned by the Lebanese state (50%), France Telecom (40%) and Telecom Italia (10%).  While heading Sodetel, he taught at the American University in Beirut at the Institute of Money and Banking and at the Business School.  Dr Hobeika held the position of Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce ICC- Lebanon from 1997 to 2003.  Currently he consults on issues in Economics, Finance and Telecommunications and teaches in leading universities in Lebanon and overseas.  He wrote over one thousand articles published in the Middle East and internationally.

Finally and because of his diversified academic and business experience, he is regularly interviewed locally and internationally on the most important topics of the day.

Ph.D. in Economics and Finance, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa, USA. 1980.

B.A. in Economics. Major: Business Administation, University of Paris, France,. 1976.

Executice Education Program on Promoting Innovation and Creativity and Managing People for Maximum Performance, 1999, Harvard University / JFK School of Government, 1999.

Refereed Journal Articles

Hobeika, L.G. (2001) Economic Growth, Privatization, Trade and Competition in Lebanon.  Middle East Executive Reports.  pp. 9-13, Washington. D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G. (2000) Arbitration in the Arab World.  The Lebanese Review of Arbitration.  pp. 8-23.  Beirut.  Lebanon.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1999)  دور الحكومة في خلق بيئة مؤاتية للابتكار الصناعي في لبنان .  Publication of LIA.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G. (1998) Building Lebanese Human Capital:  Public and Private Sector Rules.  Middle East Executive Reports.  pp. 8-13, Washington. D.C. USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1997) Telecommunications in the Region:  Government and Private Sector Partnerships in Lebanon and the Middle East.  Middle East Executive Reports.  pp. 13-19.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1994) Can Beirut Become a Regional Financial Center by 1996?.  Middle East Executive Reports.  pp 9-15.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1994) Making Beirut a Regional Financial Center.  Middle East Executive Reports.  pp 9-15.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1994) Banking on Beirut.  Middle East Insight.  pp. 53-58.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1993) Financial Sector Review for Tanzania.  World Bank Report.  Washington. D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1992)  Rapport sur le PIP 1992-94 du Rwanda.  World Bank Report.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1992)  Special Program of Assistance – Status Report for Rwanda.  World Bank Report.  Washington D.C.  USA.
Hobeika, L.G.  (1991)  Country Brief-Rwanda.  World Bank Report.  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1990) Aluminum and Bauxite.  Chapter in Price Prospects for Major Primary Commodities.  World Bank  publications,  pp. 156- 181,  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1990) Key Issues in the Reconstruction of Lebanon.   Middle East Insight.  pp 29-37,  Washington D.C.  USA.

Hobeika, L.G. (1990) On the Efficiency of the Aluminum Market. Nigerian Financial Review.  pp 61-65.  Lagos.  Nigeria.

Hobeika, L.G. (1989) An Economic Analysis of Commodity Swaps. Nigerian Financial Review.  pp 1-6.  Lagos.  Nigeria.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1989) Profitability and Risks in the Lebanese Financial Market.  Lebanon Economic Report.  pp. 49-51.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1988)  Une Etude Econometrique de l'endettement public des pays en voie de developpement.  Proche Orient Etudes Economiques.  pp. 5-16.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1988)  La Conjoncture Libanaise et Internationale en 1988.  Lebanon Economic Report.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1987)  التضخم وسعر صرف الليرة في لبنان .  Proche-Orient Etudes Economiques.  pp. 3-16.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1986)  La Theorie du Portefeuille et les marches de capitaux: Resume et Exemples.  Proche-Orient Etudes Economiques.  pp 31-46.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1986)  Theories on Dividend Policy.  Proche-Orient Etudes Economiques.  pp.107-132.  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1985)  Une Etude Econometrique de l'Equilibre de la Balance Libanaise des Paiements.  Proche-Orient Etudes Economiques.  pp. 9-19,  Beirut.

Conference Proceedings

Hobeika, L.G. (1999) Financing of the Telecommunications Projects in the Arab States.  Proceedings of Middle East Telecommunications Congress (MIDCOM).  pp. 88-94.  UAE.

Hobeika, L.G.  (1998) Mobilizing Capital for Privatization of Telecommunications Enterprises in the Middle East.  Proceedings of Middle East Telecommunications Congress (MIDCOM).  pp.  158-165.  UAE..

Hobeika, L.G.  (1998) The Role of Government in Creating an Enabling Environment for Industrial Innovation in Lebanon.  Proceedings of the Second Conference on Industrial Research and Development.  pp. 71-103..  Beirut.

Hobeika, L.G. (1997) Building Government and Private Sector Partnerships in the Middle East Telecommunications Sector.  Proceedings of Middle East Telecommunications Congress (MIDCOM).  pp.99 – 103.  UAE.

Hobeika, L.G. (1997) Structural Changes Offer New Privatization Opportunities in the Middle East Telecommunications Sector.  Proceedings of Middle East Infrastructure Development Congress (MEIDC).  pp. 445-456.  UAE.