Engineer Maroun Joseph Helou

Maroun Helou is a Lebanese civil engineer, entrepreneur, and public figure whose career in construction and real estate spans nearly five decades. A graduate of Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and the American University of Beirut, where he studied civil engineering, he began his career in 1976 as a shareholder in a construction and engineering company. In 1979, he founded ABNIAH S.A.L. Engineering and Contracting, which he continues to lead as Chairman and General Manager.

Under his leadership, ABNIAH has grown into one of Lebanon’s leading general contractors, completing more than 170 projects in Lebanon and abroad. Its portfolio encompasses residential developments, office buildings, convention centers, industrial and medical facilities, schools, universities, and tourism complexes. Officially classified in the “Excellent” category and ranked as a first-category contractor for both public and private projects, the company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and affiliated with the Lebanese Contractors Syndicate and the Order of Engineers and Architects of Beirut.

Helou further expanded his business interests by founding ABNIAH Holding, which oversees ABNIAH CI in Côte d’Ivoire and ABNIAH CY in Cyprus, and Abniah for Development S.A.L., through which he owns and promotes several real estate projects. He is also a co-founder and board member of TDHC, a property development company.

Beyond his business pursuits, Helou has maintained a longstanding commitment to Lebanon’s civic and professional life. He has served as President of the Lebanese Contractors Syndicate for Public Works and Buildings since 2015 and is now in his third consecutive term. He also represents the contracting sector in the Lebanese Economic Association, affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce.

In 2025, Helou was elected President of the Maronite League.  He also serves on the boards of trustees of the World Patriarchal Foundation for Integral Development. He is also a former member of the Maronite Center for Research and Documentation and the Lebanese-Omani Business Council, and has participated in the Lebanese National Dialogue. Since 2004, he has served as President of the Al Helou Family League.

Earlier in his career, Helou was active in the National Liberal Party, serving on its political bureau and as an adviser to President Camille Chamoun during the Geneva and Lausanne conferences. He withdrew from political activity in 1989.