Economy

Lebanon Launches National Drive to Revive Agriculture
Lebanon Launches National Drive to Revive Agriculture

In a bid to revitalize Lebanon’s agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture held a large-scale volunteer day in Qana, south Lebanon, in collaboration with local associations, universities and scout groups. Under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, hundreds of volunteers gathered to plant dozens of olive trees around the ...

Stock Markets Mostly Rise as Investors Eye Trade Talks
Stock Markets Mostly Rise as Investors Eye Trade Talks

Stocks mostly rose on Monday as investors assess how the land lies on the trade war front with countries seeking to temper Donald Trump's eye-watering tariffs. Investors were also keeping tabs on China after President Xi Jinping and other top leaders last week discussed plans to boost consumption in the world's number two economy. Markets ...

Conflicts spur 'unprecedented' rise in military spending
Conflicts spur 'unprecedented' rise in military spending

Worldwide military expenditure saw its steepest rise in 2024 since the end of the Cold War, reaching $2.7 trillion as wars and rising tensions drove up spending, researchers said Monday. Military spending rose worldwide with particularly large increases in Europe and the Middle East, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace ...

Lebanese Agriculture Between Challenges and Hope: The Central Role of Olive Oil and Partnerships for the Future
Lebanese Agriculture Between Challenges and Hope: The Central Role of Olive Oil and Partnerships for the Future

Amidst the many crises facing Lebanon, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani confirmed that Lebanese olive oil remains widely available on the market at affordable prices. He encouraged citizens to consume more of it to support local farmers and boost the national economy. Regarding soil quality in the south, the minister stated that ongoing tests ...

 Pharmacists Secure Top Retirement Pension Among Liberal Professions
Figure of the week Pharmacists Secure Top Retirement Pension Among Liberal Professions

Retired pharmacists in Lebanon now receive a monthly pension of $670 – the highest among all liberal professions in the country, according to Joe Salloum, the President of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists. This milestone was achieved through a series of internal reforms, revised contribution structures, and the creation of a reserve fund in ...

LAU and Restaurants Syndicate Join Forces to Boost Hospitality Training
LAU and Restaurants Syndicate Join Forces to Boost Hospitality Training

At HORECA 2025, the Syndicate of Restaurant, Cafe, Nightclub, and Pastry Owners in Lebanon signed a strategic partnership with the Lebanese American University (LAU), paving the way for enhanced educational and professional opportunities in the hospitality sector. The memorandum of understanding, formalized during the industry event, signals the ...

Travel and Tourism Syndicate Discusses Sector Revival Amid Hopes for Political Stability
Travel and Tourism Syndicate Discusses Sector Revival Amid Hopes for Political Stability

The Syndicate of Owners of Travel and Tourism Offices in Lebanon, headed by Jean Abboud, held its Annual General Assembly at the Middle East Airlines (MEA) conference center on Friday, gathering a large number of industry members. The session covered key agenda items, including the presentation and approval of the 2024 financial report, and ...

China's BYD posts strong quarterly profit on EV sales surge
China's BYD posts strong quarterly profit on EV sales surge

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD reported strong first-quarter profits on Friday, propelled by surging sales as US rival Tesla struggles to maintain pace. China's EV market is the largest in the world, and BYD has emerged in recent years as the clear leader of the highly competitive sector, outperforming Tesla in annual revenue last year. The ...

Trump’s Four-Wheel Boomerang: Clearing the Road for China
AnalysisTrump’s Four-Wheel Boomerang: Clearing the Road for China

Trump, determined to “bring the auto industry back home,” recently imposed a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and crucially, the entire automotive sector. His goal was straightforward: to reshore production and safeguard American industry. However, in trying to curb imports, Trump has inadvertently given China’s EV sector a significant push. ...

Support for Syrian Refugees: Lebanon Says Stop
Support for Syrian Refugees: Lebanon Says Stop

Lebanon, which is facing a prolonged crisis, is raising its voice once again. For more than 15 years, the Land of the Cedars has borne the direct consequences of the war in Syria, hosting more than two million Syrian refugees—nearly 40% of its population. According to the World Bank, the annual cost of this presence exceeds two billion ...

Lebanon’s Inflation Drops to Five-Year Low, but Food Prices Remain a Strain
Lebanon’s Inflation Drops to Five-Year Low, but Food Prices Remain a Strain

The annual inflation rate in Lebanon dropped to 14.2% in March 2025, marking the lowest level in five years, according to official figures released this week. The decline follows a 15.6% rate recorded in February and reflects a broader easing in price increases across several key sectors. The most notable slowdowns were seen in housing and ...