Economy

Critical Weeks for Lebanon's IMF Agreement
Critical Weeks for Lebanon's IMF Agreement

The European Union's stance is in line with that of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding recent indications and developments in Lebanon, including the passage of the 2024 budget within constitutional deadlines, reforms to banking secrecy laws and stabilization of the exchange rate in the parallel market. These developments signal that ...

Two Years After IMF Agreement: No Deposit Disposal!
Two Years After IMF Agreement: No Deposit Disposal!

Today, April 7, marks the second anniversary of the agreement signed between the Lebanese government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation at the Presidential Palace in the presence of former President Michel Aoun. The signing took place under his auspices, as he exercised his constitutional prerogative. As president, he is ...

Money Supply Breaks New Record in Lebanon
Money Supply Breaks New Record in Lebanon

The money supply experienced phenomenal growth in Lebanon within one month, increasing by 439% between December 2023 and January 2024. What are the reasons for this, and what does it signify? A recently published report revealed that Lebanon has experienced a significant increase in the circulating money supply, which multiplied by more than five ...

Salam in Washington
Salam in Washington

The Caretaker Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, set off for Washington on Saturday to participate in the annual spring meetings of the World Bank (WB) at its headquarters. Salam's itinerary includes a series of meetings with key figures in the US administration, spanning across various departments such as the Departments of State, Treasury, ...

Slight Increase in PMI in March
Slight Increase in PMI in March

The PMI (Purchasing Managers Index), published by BlomInvest, reached 49.4 points in March compared to 49.1 the previous month. This slight improvement demonstrates a certain flexibility in the local market. Commenting on this figure, BLOM Invest analyst Stephanie Aoun indicated that the PMI recorded a slight increase, primarily due to the ...

Finance: A Decision and a Deadline Extension
Finance: A Decision and a Deadline Extension

Caretaker Minister of Finance Youssef el-Khalil issued a decision on Friday clarifying the tax treatment of interest paid by taxpayers. Accordingly, income taxpayers who pay interest must declare this interest quarterly and pay the tax due within 15 days of the end of each quarter, after deducting tax at the rate of 17% on 50% of this ...

EU: Reforms Need to Be Implemented in Lebanon
EU: Reforms Need to Be Implemented in Lebanon

The European Union has insisted on the priority for Lebanon to implement "agreed key reforms (as part of the agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund in 2022)" in order to restore the trust of international actors and Lebanese citizens in the financial system" and help "avoid Lebanon being trapped in a perpetual cycle of ...

Banque De L'habitat: Cabinet Accepts Request for Loan From Abu Dhabi Fund
Banque De L'habitat: Cabinet Accepts Request for Loan From Abu Dhabi Fund

During its meeting on Thursday, the Council of Ministers approved the request made by the Banque de l'Habitat (BDH) for a subsidized loan from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. The government agreed to entrust the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) with the task of contacting the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and requesting a loan for ...

Towards a Minimum Wage of LBP 50 Million?
Towards a Minimum Wage of LBP 50 Million?

On Thursday, the Council of Ministers approved an increase in the minimum wage in the private sector to LBP 18 million, as well as a 100% increase in school allowances. Thus, the minimum wage rises from LBP 9 to 18 million, fully declared to the National Social Security Fund and integrated into the basic salary. Regarding school allowances, for ...

Private Sector Salary Increase Approved by Cabinet
Private Sector Salary Increase Approved by Cabinet

The Cabinet approved on Thursday an increase of the minimum wage in the private sector to 18 million Lebanese pounds, as well as a 100% increase in school allowances. Thus, the minimum wage rises from 9 to 18 million pounds, fully declared to Social Security and integrated into the basic salary. With regard to school allowances, for the children ...

Ogero Secures 880 Billion Lebanese Pounds
Ogero Secures 880 Billion Lebanese Pounds

The Cabinet has approved the amount of 880 billion Lebanese pounds for salary increases over the next three months for employees of Ogero, Lebanon's public telecommunications and internet provider. While trying to remain optimistic, the employees' union maintains its deadline of April 15 for the government to meet all of its demands. As ...

Salaries of Civil Servants and Military Personnel Transferred to BDL
Salaries of Civil Servants and Military Personnel Transferred to BDL

The Ministry of Finance announced, in a press release on Wednesday, that it had transferred all civil servants' salaries and retirees' pensions to the Banque du Liban (BDL). Those concerned will be able to collect them from private banks starting Friday morning, April 5. Of note, the Ministry transferred the salaries of military personnel in the ...