ALKHOBAR, 12 December 2003 — On Monday night before a delighted crowd at Le Gulf Meridien Hotel in Alkhobar, the Republic of France bestowed the prestigious award of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur on Hamed A. Al-Zamil for his pivotal support of Saudi-French business and trade relations. Al-Zamil, president of Hamed A. Al-Zamil & Bros., was made Knight of the Legion of Honor through a decree from French President Jacques Chirac with the award presented by France’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bernard Poletti.
“I am especially proud to have this opportunity to decorate such a prominent, respected figure who has worked unceasingly to improve Saudi-French business and trade relations,” said Poletti. “Over many years he has been active in promoting opportunities in commerce and industry between our two nations. Hamed Al-Zamil played an especially important role on the Saudi-French Steering Committee, creating dialogue which resulted in effective relationships. Tonight we recognize his service.”
The Légion d’Honneur is the premier order of the French Republic and the highest civilian award given for outstanding service to France regardless of the nationality or gender of the recipient. It is also widely regarded as one of Europe’s most prestigious civic honors. Nominations to the rank of Knight are made by presidential decree from lists proposed by various French ministers. The usual number of nominations is about 2,000 annually.
The Legion of Honor was founded by then French First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte. Following a dinner in his home in February l802, to which he had invited several friends, Napoleon expressed his desire to create a reward for outstanding military accomplishments as well as other distinguished service to the state.
Napoleon proceeded to set down his ideas and submitted his plan to the French Council of State early in May 1802. In spite of considerable opposition, Napoleon remained adamant and refused to accept the recommendation that the award be restricted to military men. After heated debate, the council adopted the plan and it was subsequently passed in the Legislative Assembly.
The Legion of Honor was established by law on May 19, 1802. In expressing his reasons for creating the Order, Napoleon said: “It will remove all distinctions of nobility, which placed inherited glory above acquired glory and descendants of great men above great men.” One of the original supporters of Napoleon’s plan had said that the Legion of Honor would reward “actions considered beyond all recompense.”
The insignia consists of a star of five rays with the profile of the French Republic surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel. The obverse text reads, “Republique Francaise 1870.” The reverse text is “Honneur and Patrie,” or “Honor and Fatherland.” A Knight wears the decoration suspended from a red moiré silk ribbon on the left side of the chest. On a business suit, the rank of Chevalier or Knight is represented by small red threads woven into the lapel next to the button-hole.
This is not the first national honor bestowed on Al-Zamil. He has previously accepted awards from the governments of Saudi Arabia, Italy and the Philippines for his efforts to enhance commercial relationships on broad national bases.
Al-Zamil has been the driving force in the activities of H.A. Al-Zamil & Bros. The firm has become one of the largest trading organizations in Saudi Arabia. It functions as a sales agent and sponsor to overseas manufacturers, trading establishments, and service and consultant firms in Saudi Arabia as well as in other Gulf states.
The company is widely considered to be one of the best when it comes to reliability, dedication and individualized service. As proof of this, H.A. Al-Zamil & Bros. is registered as an approved vendor for all material requirements (industrial, chemical, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation) and support services with the leading petrochemical, oil and gas companies, ministries and other public departments and other top private sector companies.
Having spent decades in public and private sector service, Al-Zamil has recently expressed the desire to reduce his activities in order to have more time to play golf and relax with his family. However, it seems unlikely that such a plan will be acceptable to either his business colleagues or to the many trade and industry groups who depend on his expertise.
Both morning and evening Al-Zamil is hard at work at his office in Alkhobar, fielding telephone calls, chairing meetings and receiving commercial delegations from around the world. His schedule, determined months in advance, is overflowing with obligations. Yet he always finds time to squeeze in the last minute call for advice and assistance. If anything, Al-Zamil is engaged in more global industrial and commercial activities than ever before. The applause which followed the presentation of his award on Monday was genuine and sustained.
“I am proud to become a Knight of the Legion of Honor. I thank the Republic of France for recognizing my years of service in working to improve industry and trade relations between the nations and peoples of Saudi Arabia and France,” Al-Zamil said. “Now, in these times of shifting global alliances, it is incumbent upon us all to make every effort to strengthen the friendships and ties built over decades.”
“Technology has made the world a smaller place, intensifying the challenges and opportunities before us,” Al-Zamil continued. “It is only through mutual respect and constant emphasis on our similarities instead of our differences that we can attain positive goals. I believe that increasing commercial activities between nations is an essential element in the creation of a prosperous, peaceful future for all.”