This Is Beirut 19/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The experiences of many countries with international financial institutions—chief among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—show that such partnerships often lead to counterproductive results. Instead of rescuing economies from crisis, the so-called reform programs have deepened structural and financial problems. In many cases, these ...
Liliane Mokbel 19/04 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
According to the Order of Engineers of Beirut and North Lebanon, only 417 building permits were issued in January 2025 – a sharp 48.33% drop compared to January 2024. Construction activity has seen a steep decline over the past year. This downturn has affected all governorates: Beirut: Only 2 permits issued, a 93.75% drop ...
This is Beirut 18/04 11:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
An official Lebanese delegation is heading to Washington, DC to participate in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, carrying with it new promises and commitments aimed at pleasing these two international institutions. It seeks to convince them that Lebanon has indeed embarked on the path of reform and seeks to go even further by fulfilling all ...
Christiane Tager 18/04 09:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Global markets had enjoyed a strong recovery in the aftermath of the 2020–2021 pandemic shock. From 2022 through early 2025, stock prices soared, cryptocurrencies gained traction and the overall outlook appeared increasingly stable—until April 7. That day, a wave of panic swept across investors, algorithmic trading systems triggered cascading ...
Liliane Mokbel 17/04 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Economy Public domain coastline
After decades of laissez-faire, has the tide finally turned? Breaking with a long-standing tradition of complacency toward violations of the coastline, the government of Nawaf Salam has withdrawn three controversial decrees adopted under the Mikati administration. These decrees had legitimized the appropriation of over 140,000 square meters of ...
This is Beirut 17/04 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In a notable move, President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, submitted two appeals before the Constitutional Council. The first concerns Law No. 1, which came into force by default and relates to the rental of non-residential spaces. The second concerns Law No. 2, also effective by default, aimed at amending certain provisions regulating the ...
This is Beirut 17/04 13:25 - Reading : less than a minute
NSSF Lebanon Healthcare Medications Reimbursement Coverage
Lebanon’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has expanded its drug coverage in a major healthcare move, adding 1,067 previously excluded medications back to its reimbursement list. The update, announced Thursday by NSSF Director General Mohammad Karake, restores up to 80% reimbursement for these drugs—returning to pre-crisis coverage ...
This is Beirut 17/04 11:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
As the trade war between the United States and China escalates, here is a point-by-point comparison of the world's two biggest economic powers. Geographic, demographic giants With a surface area of more than nine million square kilometres (3.5 million square miles) each, the United States and China rank among the world's four biggest ...
Marc Saikali 17/04 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Gulf International Monetary Fund
Just when we thought we’d seen it all in the Lebanese saga of economic collapse, the government rolled out a new episode—one so twisted it makes a Netflix series look like a documentary on quantum physics. A draft banking reform law, rushed through cabinet, casually proposes placing the burden of the collapse on depositors and local ...
Christiane Tager 16/04 22:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
United States luxury Hermes china tariffs
The world of luxury may shine bright, but it’s not immune to economic storms. On Tuesday, the biggest names – Kering, Hermès and LVMH – saw their shares take a hit, with a stock market slump that was anything but glamorous. The biggest blow went to LVMH, whose first-quarter 2025 results showed a 2% drop in revenue. It’s the first slap in ...
This is Beirut 16/04 21:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
USA Donald Trump Europe New York United Kingdom
Wall Street shares fell but European stocks diverged Wednesday after the US government imposed restrictions on exports of a key Nvidia chip to China, the latest trade war salvo between the world's biggest economies. After a relatively peaceful couple of days on markets following tariff-related volatility last week, investors were once again on ...
This is Beirut 16/04 18:49 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
The Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, has tentatively approved an increase in Lebanon's contribution to the International Monetary Fund, requesting Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to provide a study on the feasibility of raising Lebanon’s contribution by $423 million. According to Kanaan, the increase in ...