Economy

An IMF exploratory mission to Lebanon
An IMF exploratory mission to Lebanon

"Because things have become clear, we need to move towards a final agreement", said Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Lebanon, at the end of his meeting on Wednesday in Beirut with the Economic bodies, chaired by Mohamad Choucair. However, he did not give any further explanation of what seems clear, in ...

Gold and Silver: The Craze of New Treasure Hunters

Since the beginning of the year, record spikes in the prices of gold, and more recently, silver, have been making headlines. The prices of both gold and silver are closely correlated, influenced by shared macroeconomic conditions and currency risk hedging strategies. 5% Profits But in the current context, the price of silver seems to be rising ...

Economic Organizations Explore Investment Opportunities in Senegal
Economic Organizations Explore Investment Opportunities in Senegal

Economic organizations explored investment opportunities in Senegal during a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Former Minister Mohammad Choucair. The event was attended by the Senegalese Ambassador to Lebanon, Kemoko Diakite, Consul Zaher Makhader, and a group of union leaders and businesspeople interested in fostering economic cooperation with ...

Finance Ministry: Deadline for Payment of Fees Extended
Finance Ministry: Deadline for Payment of Fees Extended

Caretaker Minister of Finance Youssef Khalil announced on Monday a decision extending, until June 21, the deadline for filing tax stamp duty declarations and paying invoices and prepaid cards issued by cell phone operators and electronic communications companies (Internet).

BDL’s Strategy to Tackle Deposit Crisis: An Increase in Withdrawal Exchange Rate?
BDL’s Strategy to Tackle Deposit Crisis: An Increase in Withdrawal Exchange Rate?

The official exchange rate of 89,500 Lebanese pounds to one US dollar is recognized by the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) as the unified exchange rate, which banks are required to use when drafting their financial statements and periodic reports. This rate aligns with the parallel market exchange rate. BDL’s Acting Governor, Wassim Mansouri, keeps ...

The CMA CGM Foundation Joins Forces with the Lebanese Red Cross
The CMA CGM Foundation Joins Forces with the Lebanese Red Cross

The CMA CGM Foundation (a French shipping giant) and the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) have signed a partnership agreement with the aim of providing 50% of the fuel required to operate ambulances throughout the country in the first half of the current year. “Since February 2004, the fuel supply of 285 Lebanese Red Cross ambulances has been guaranteed ...

Summer 2024: Uncertain Prospects
Summer 2024: Uncertain Prospects

  The tourism sector in Lebanon accounted for 30% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, with revenues reaching $6 billion. These figures will most likely be difficult to achieve this year, if the ongoing war in Gaza and its repercussions in southern Lebanon persist. In 2023, revenues generated by the tourism sector – $6 billion – ...

The 2025 Budget: Further Taxation for Lebanese People!
The 2025 Budget: Further Taxation for Lebanese People!

Caretaker Minister of Finance Youssef Khalil affirmed the Ministry's commitment to delivering the 2025 budget within its Constitutional deadline. However, this has sparked significant controversy among citizens, particularly as the budget items will primarily rely on imposing additional taxes to cover the Lebanese State's expenses. This pattern ...

The “Made in Lebanon” Conundrum
The “Made in Lebanon” Conundrum

  If you are accustomed to supermarket visits, you've likely observed a shift in the variety of products available in recent years. Shelves are now brimming with numerous brands that were nonexistent until recently. This is because importers and retailers have frequently had to turn to new supply sources to adapt to our new situation of ...

BDH Launches New Loans for Disabled Persons
BDH Launches New Loans for Disabled Persons

Chairman and CEO of the Habitat Bank (BDH) Antoine Habib announced on Tuesday that starting June 1, the BDH will provide loans to rehabilitate housing for people with disabilities. Habib met the President of the National Society for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Nawaf Kabbara, and discussed with him BDH’s new project, which involves ...

Wheat: From a General Subsidy to a Targeted Subsidy
Wheat: From a General Subsidy to a Targeted Subsidy

Two years ago, in May 2022, Lebanon and the World Bank signed an emergency agreement worth a total of $150 million to preserve food security in Lebanon, through support for wheat imports and a subsidy. This agreement expires on May 25. What about the future? In May 2022, Lebanon and the World Bank (WB) signed an emergency agreement worth a total ...

EDL: Employee Strike Suspended
EDL: Employee Strike Suspended

The Électricité du Liban (EDL) employees’ union announced on Friday the suspension of its strike, observed since May 8. In a press release, the union of employees of the public electricity supplier announced that Saturday, May 11, would be a normal working day, and that it would keep its meetings open to monitor developments. EDL employees ...