Economy

Public Bus Use Surges to 4,600 Daily Riders, One Year After Launch
Figure of the weekPublic Bus Use Surges to 4,600 Daily Riders, One Year After Launch

4,600 — that's the average number of passengers using public buses each day, one year after the launch of Lebanon’s state-operated public transport service, led by the Office of Railways and Public Transport. This marks a significant increase compared to the early days of the project, when daily ridership hovered between just 200 and 300 ...

Lebanon’s Real Estate: The Cautious Return of Arab Investors
Lebanon’s Real Estate: The Cautious Return of Arab Investors

During the first nine months of 2024, a total of 26,430 property transactions were recorded — an increase of 118% compared to 2023, according to well-informed sources. This surge is largely attributed to the resumption of land registry services after a prolonged administrative paralysis. The total value of sales reached nearly $1.85 billion. ...

Lebanon’s Hospitality Sector Declares Full Readiness for Summer 2025
Lebanon’s Hospitality Sector Declares Full Readiness for Summer 2025

The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Shops officially announced that Lebanon’s hospitality and nightlife sector is fully ready for Summer 2025. “The tourism sector is fully prepared and will offer the highest level of service,” said Syndicate President Tony Ramy during a ceremony held on Thursday at ...

Key Appointments at Banque du Liban Still Pending
Key Appointments at Banque du Liban Still Pending

The terms of the four vice-governors of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) will expire on June 11, along with those of the chairman and members of the Banking Control Commission, as well as three experts on the Capital Markets Authority. In line with Article 18 of the Code of Money and Credit, the governor of BDL is appointed by decree for a ...

Gamers Get Hold of Nintendo's Hotly Awaited Switch 2
Gamers Get Hold of Nintendo's Hotly Awaited Switch 2

Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator. The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal ...

Brent Crashes: Black Gold Turns Weightless
Brent Crashes: Black Gold Turns Weightless

Just two years ago, Brent crude neared $100 per barrel following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As of Tuesday, the European benchmark traded around $65.70 per barrel—a level unseen since the depths of the 2020 pandemic. This steep and unexpected decline baffled analysts, even as it offers welcome relief to consumers. At the core of this ...

Trump Says Deal with Xi 'Extremely Hard' as Steel Tariffs Double
Trump Says Deal with Xi 'Extremely Hard' as Steel Tariffs Double

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday it is "extremely hard" to reach a deal with China over a trade impasse that has roiled global markets, while his doubling of metal tariffs fueled tensions with key partners. Trump's latest salvos came as ministers from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries ...

Running Low? Unleaded to the Rescue
Running Low? Unleaded to the Rescue

The Lebanese government seems to be taking its cue from an old maxim: “When in trouble, raise the taxes.” In a decision that hit like a bombshell, authorities announced a sharp hike in fuel prices – despite a global drop in oil costs. The official rationale? To fund social aid. The logic? Ease the burden on the poor by adding to the strain ...

Lebanese Wine Industry Embraces AI for a Sustainable Future
Lebanese Wine Industry Embraces AI for a Sustainable Future

In a pioneering move toward modernizing agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union held a workshop in Lebanon focused on the integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable viticulture. Organized in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Vine and Wine ...

No Political Veto on Kleiate Airport Rehabilitation Project
No Political Veto on Kleiate Airport Rehabilitation Project

The rehabilitation project for Kleiate Airport – also known as René Moawad Airport – in Akkar, northern Lebanon, is moving ahead at a steady pace. In an interview with This is Beirut, Akkar MP Sagih Atieh, who chairs the parliamentary Public Works Committee, stated that “the reactivation process is proceeding normally, and there has been no ...

Lebanon Builds Regional Ties to Boost Employment and Cooperation
Lebanon Builds Regional Ties to Boost Employment and Cooperation

Lebanon’s Minister of Labor Mohammad Haidar held a series of meetings during the 113th International Labor Conference in Geneva aimed at strengthening regional cooperation on employment and working conditions. He met with the Syrian Minister of Labor Hind Kabawat, in the presence of both Lebanese and Syrian delegations. Their discussions ...

In Search of Lebanon’s Financial and Economic Taif Agreement
In Search of Lebanon’s Financial and Economic Taif Agreement

Lebanon’s economic crisis cannot be measured solely by the six years since its visible eruption in September 2019. Its roots extend much further back—to 1992 and the first government formed after the Taif Agreement. This period marked the beginning of Lebanon’s modern economic policies, shaped by the country’s financial establishment with ...