Economy

Fayad Discusses Gas Supply With Egyptian Officials
Fayad Discusses Gas Supply With Egyptian Officials

Caretaker Energy and Water Minister Walid Fayad held several meetings on the sidelines of the Seventh Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2024), which runs until February 21 in Cairo, notably with Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Molla, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Egyptian ...

Mansouri: Deposits' Restitution Won't Happen Overnight
Mansouri: Deposits' Restitution Won't Happen Overnight

Acting Governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) Wassim Mansouri commented on the subject of deposit restitution during his visit to London, saying that it is necessary to accept the fact that this "will not happen overnight, but that there are mechanisms in place to return them." He pointed out that "confidence in the banks will not be rebuilt ...

Bank Assets Fell by 31.83% Year-on-Year as of December
Bank Assets Fell by 31.83% Year-on-Year as of December

A 31.83% surge brought bank assets to $115.25 billion in December 2023, following the Central Bank du Liban (BDL)'s adoption of a new exchange rate of 15,000 Lebanese pounds per US dollar. As for the assets, currency and deposits held with the Central Bank represented a significant 72.99% of the total, witnessing a yearly decline of 23.4% to ...

Lebanese Entrepreneurs Scrutinize the Budget
Lebanese Entrepreneurs Scrutinize the Budget

The board of directors of the 'Mouvement international des chefs d'entreprises libanais', or the international movement of Lebanese heads of enterprises (MIDEL), under the chairmanship of Fouad Zmokhol, discussed the 2024 budget, recently approved by Parliament, and its application to private sector companies. Participants pointed out that "taxes ...

40% Drop in Agricultural Exports
40% Drop in Agricultural Exports

"Agricultural exports are down 40% compared to the same period last year due to the shipping crisis in the Red Sea,” according to Mounir El-Tini, Vice President of the Zahleh and Bekaa Chamber of Commerce. He pointed out that citrus fruits are the hardest hit, in addition to the leftovers from the apple and potato seasons. He also pointed out ...

When and How Will Deposits Be Recovered?
When and How Will Deposits Be Recovered?

The Council of State's decision to invalidate the article related to the suppression of a significant portion of the state's foreign currency commitments to the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), as outlined in the government's economic recovery plan dated 20/5/2022, brings some relief to depositors and bankers. However, questions concerning the ...

Mikati: Depositors’ Funds Have Evaporated
Mikati: Depositors’ Funds Have Evaporated

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati acknowledged for the first time that "depositors' funds have evaporated" and that "the state is 100% responsible for (evaporated) bank deposits." During a meeting with economic journalists, reported by An-Nahar’s Sabine Oueiss, Mikati emphasized that the state's responsibility regarding these deposits "is ...

Monoprix Returns to Lebanon
Monoprix Returns to Lebanon

The chain Monoprix is back in Beirut. Gray Mackenzie Retail Group announced on Friday that it had "officially signed a franchise agreement with the French retail chain Monoprix, based on the management of the company's operations in Lebanon and its expansion through the opening of new stores, as part of the strengthening of strategic partnerships ...

Economic Organisms: Depositors' Money Is Sacred
Economic Organisms: Depositors' Money Is Sacred

Following their meeting on Thursday, economic organisms issued a communiqué expressing their opposition to any projects proposed by the authorities aimed at remedying the financial and monetary situation, unless the absolute priority is ensuring depositors can retrieve their deposits. “Retrieving depositors' money is a sacred right guaranteed ...

World Bank: $34M for Public Service Budget Management
World Bank: $34M for Public Service Budget Management

The World Bank's Board of Directors approved on Wednesday a $34 million project to assist Lebanon in restoring essential budget management functions within the public administration. This initiative aims to reinstate public services, ensure citizen welfare and facilitate sustainable economic recovery. According to a communiqué issued by the ...

Entry Into Force of Circular 166
Entry Into Force of Circular 166

Circular 166, which allows certain depositors to withdraw $150 a month from their accounts, came into force on Thursday. Those concerned can now submit their applications to the banks. Lebanon's Central Bank (BDL) has informed banks of the application mechanism and sent them the form to be used in order to lift the banking secrecy of the accounts ...

The Concept of Financial Chaos
The Concept of Financial Chaos

The chaos that has prevailed over the Lebanese financial sector for four years has recently jumped to a new level. It has become an economic concept, just like capitalism or socialism. And it is governing the country. The newly-coined concept of “financial chaos” involves this sticky mess surrounding the value of the lollar, the dollar, ...