What It Is About
The Hungarian-registered firm BAC, alleged to be involved in manufacturing the pagers that exploded in Lebanon, has gone silent. BAC’s CEO has denied any involvement.
Why It Matters
The incident places a spotlight on the complexities and challenges in global supply chains and corporate accountability, particularly when it comes to security and safety in volatile regions.
The Big Picture
The Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo claimed that BAC, a company they have a partnership with, was responsible for the manufacturing of the pagers. Following the explosions in Lebanon, BAC has taken down its website, and attempts to contact their office have been unsuccessful.
Details
The CEO of BAC, Cristiana Arcidiacono-Barsony, who is registered in Hungary’s corporate registry, vigorously denied any affiliation with the incident. In her brief call with an Italian news outlet, she stated, “I don’t make pagers. I’m just a broker. I think you’ve got the wrong person,” before abruptly ending the conversation.
The Location
The address provided for BAC leads to a private residence in Budapest. A simple paper sign on the door of the supposed office mentioned BAC Consulting among other companies.
Assembly and Background
According to reports, BAC was established in 2022. The CEO has an impressive academic and professional background, with degrees from leading London institutions and previous work with the European Union, UNESCO, and the United Nations. Despite this, the firm’s website is notably vague and filled with non-specific project descriptions.
Communique from Gold Apollo
Gold Apollo’s president, Hsu Ching-Kuang, clarified that while their company sold the AR-924 pagers, the actual manufacturing and design were BAC’s responsibility. Hsu mentioned that financial dealings with BAC were peculiar, marked by transactions routed through the Middle East.
Conclusion
The incident has raised concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of certain global supply operations, emphasizing the need for rigorous scrutiny and oversight to prevent repeat incidents. The intersection of trade legitimacy and global safety remains paramount.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.