Basil Al-Hajjar
Businessman and media-distribution executiveBorn in Machghara, he studied in the United States and developed a career in management and the distribution and production of film and television content across the Arab world.
Biography
Basil Hanna Al-Hajjar was born in Machghara into a family involved in leather tanning and apple farming. He completed primary school in the town and secondary education in Zahle.
He moved to Michigan in 1969, studying automotive engineering and then business administration, and earned a master’s degree in educational administration. After returning to Lebanon, he worked as sales manager for Pepsi Cola following professional training in the Philippines.
In the 1980s he moved to the Gulf and entered the import and distribution of television programmes and films. He co-founded a translation and dubbing company, attended international content markets in Cannes, and later represented major media markets across the Arab region.
He maintained ties to Machghara through land and vineyards while combining management, media production, and his original interest in automotive engineering.
Notable Contributions
Helped distribute and dub international television and film content across the Arab world.
Represented major international media markets and expanded Arab participation in them.