Economy

Easter in Lebanon: On Hold
Easter in Lebanon: On Hold

Lebanon is getting ready for a colorful Easter weekend, full of reunions and, hopefully, calm. Between the announced return of many expatriates and the timid arrival of a few tourists, the atmosphere promises to be lively in the streets and restaurants… but perhaps a little less so in the hotels. Travel agencies are sounding the alarm: flights ...

Rasamny Aims to Strengthen Lebanon’s Key Infrastructure
Rasamny Aims to Strengthen Lebanon’s Key Infrastructure

In an interview with Al-Anbaa newspaper, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny affirmed that the security of Beirut International Airport (BIA) is a national priority, emphasizing that all current security measures are managed exclusively by the competent Lebanese authorities. He stated that this commitment is reflected in ...

EU Tariffs on US Goods Suspended Until July 14
EU Tariffs on US Goods Suspended Until July 14

The EU's retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth 21 billion euros will be on hold until July 14, Brussels said on Monday, to give time for negotiations with Washington. The European Union was hit with a 20 percent rate as part of Trump's sweeping tariffs on April 2, before he suspended the measures for 90 days a week later. To give breathing room ...

Lebanon Ranks 9th Among Arab Countries for Living Costs
Lebanon Ranks 9th Among Arab Countries for Living Costs

Lebanon ranked 68th worldwide and 9th among Arab countries in terms of cost of living, according to the report published in April 2025 by Numbeo, the world's largest participatory database on prices and living conditions. With an index of 38.84, Lebanon is in the top third of the global ranking, based on prices observed in 139 countries and ...

South Lebanon Fishermen Union Appeals for Urgent Government Support
South Lebanon Fishermen Union Appeals for Urgent Government Support

The Fishermen’s Union of Lebanon’s southern coast on Monday released a statement urgently appealing to the government and relevant authorities, drawing attention to the growing challenges endangering the livelihoods of local fishing communities. The union called for immediate interventions to protect fishermen’s rights, improve their ...

Energy Ministry Faces Severe Staffing Crisis as Key Positions Remain Vacant
Energy Ministry Faces Severe Staffing Crisis as Key Positions Remain Vacant

The Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water is grappling with a major administrative shortfall, with 85% of its top-tier (first-category) positions vacant and a complete absence of second-category staff, according to a report by MTV television channel. This effectively leaves the Ministry’s most critical functions in the hands of interim ...

European Stocks Jump Over 2% After Tech Tariff Exemptions
European Stocks Jump Over 2% After Tech Tariff Exemptions

European stock markets rose sharply Monday after the United States announced exemptions from sweeping tariffs for smartphones, laptops, semiconductors and other electronic products, tempering trade war fears. Despite US President Donald Trump suggesting that the exemptions could be short-lived, European stocks rallied around two percent at the ...

Chinese exports soared in March ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day'
Chinese exports soared in March ahead of Trump's 'Liberation Day'

Chinese exports soared more than 12 percent last month, according to data Monday, beating expectations as businesses rushed to get ahead of swingeing tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on his so-called "Liberation Day". Beijing and Washington have been locked in a fast-moving, high-stakes game of brinkmanship since Trump launched a ...

Asian Stocks Rise on Electronics Tariffs Exemption, Gold Hits New High
Asian Stocks Rise on Electronics Tariffs Exemption, Gold Hits New High

Asian stocks rose Monday as trade war fears were tempered by Donald Trump's announcement of tariff exemptions for electronics, though the dollar weakened and safe-haven gold hit a fresh record amid fears the relief would be short-lived. After the wild gyrations witnessed last week, markets got off to a relatively stable start following news ...

Iraqi Markets a Haven for Peddlers Escaping Iran's Economic Woes
Iraqi Markets a Haven for Peddlers Escaping Iran's Economic Woes

Every Friday, Alawi crosses the border from Iran into Iraq to sell his produce in the markets of Basra, which serve as a haven for Iranians grappling with economic sanctions. He is just one of many Iranian peddlers who endure the arduous journey into southern Iraq through the Chalamja border crossing. They bring essential goods such as chicken, ...

Gold Reserves in Lebanon Surge to $2 Billion!
Figure of the weekGold Reserves in Lebanon Surge to $2 Billion!

The demand for precious metals in Lebanon continues to grow. According to data from the Economic Studies Center of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIAB), imports of precious metals (customs classification) reached $2.572 billion in 2024, marking an increase of $46 million compared to the previous ...