The Banking Executive - Decemebr 2021, Issue 156

the BANKING EXECUTIVE 34 ISSUE 156 DECEMBER 2021 Astro Bank 6. WHAT INITIATIVES HAS ASTROBANK TAKEN IN THE FIELD OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY? CSR is an integral part of our culture, values and strategy, but also of our daily operations. Earlier this year, we produced a large-scale Report recording our activities in this field. Our CSR contributions focus on so- ciety, education, culture and the en- vironment. Among our numerous activities and campaigns, we have implemented a renowned, nation- wide event to increase awareness about breast cancer prevention, while we support the Junior Achieve- ment Cyprus to promote entrepre- neurship. Our efforts go far beyond what a bank our size would dedicate to CSR. AstroBank’s contribution to the society has been widely recog- nized, and the Bank is shortlisted amongst the top 5 companies of 2020 for the Corporate Social Responsibility award, by the well and long-established ‘In-Business Awards’ in Cyprus. 7. ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AND AFTER ALL THESE SUCCESS YOU HOLD UNDER YOUR BELT, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND PLANS AND MAYBE WISHES FOR THE NEAR AND FAR FUTURE FOR CYPRUS AND LEBANON? For Cyprus, the future is somewhat predictable. It will keep growing, it will continue offering attractive op- portunities and it will prosper in a healthy and environmentally respect- ful way. Regrettably, I see a very gloomy fu- ture for Lebanon if there is no funda- mental change in leadership. There are several valid models to address the existential issues that the Lebanese people face. All have a rea- sonable chance of success. However, none can be applied without funda- mental reforms and the present polit- ical system and those who control it are incapable of undertaking such re- forms. It is those same leaders who dragged Lebanon in this abysmal dis- aster because of incompetence, un- paralleled corruption, nepotism and cronyism. Unfortunately, there are no convincing signs that a solid op- position is likely to emerge soon in order to topple the present leadership through fair elections and pave the way for salutary change.