Economy

Alfa and Touch Employees Press for Better Work Conditions
Alfa and Touch Employees Press for Better Work Conditions

The Syndicate of Telecom Employees, representing mobile phone operators in Lebanon Alfa and Touch, has once again spoken out, announcing that next week will be “crucial” if the Ministry of Telecommunications does not meet its demands and sign a collective agreement guaranteeing better work conditions. The syndicate assured that it “will not ...

Finance Ministry: It Is Now Possible to Make Electronic Tax Payments
Finance Ministry: It Is Now Possible to Make Electronic Tax Payments

The Ministry of Finance announced on Thursday that taxpayers liable for certain taxes can now make electronic payments through the electronic tax system at http://eservices.finance.gov.lb. It is now possible to electronically file tax returns (R5), individual annual statements (R6) and total annual statements for companies (R7) for the year ...

What to Expect in 2024
What to Expect in 2024

To attempt to guess the possible prospects for the year 2024, one must proceed with excessive modesty. Already, the data available from last year is scarce. Even international organizations, which invest millions of dollars annually in surveys and studies, seem engulfed in hazy conjectures. They hesitate to predict anything for the following ...

Budget 2024: Budget Credits Approved in Committee
Budget 2024: Budget Credits Approved in Committee

The parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, met twice on Wednesday. It examined and approved the budgets of the Ministries of Education, Displaced Persons, Administrative Development, Finance, Telecommunications and Industry, as well as those of the National Anti-Corruption, Human Rights, Inspection and Relief ...

Electricity: More Supply Hours as of Wednesday
Electricity: More Supply Hours as of Wednesday

The Lebanese will enjoy more hours of electricity supply starting Wednesday evening, following the arrival to Lebanon of a diesel-loaded ship to operate power plants. In addition, caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayad has received the draft of a new fuel agreement with Iraq. Power supply hours will gradually improve, reaching four hours a day ...

One Single IT Officer at the Lebanese Custom Administration
One Single IT Officer at the Lebanese Custom Administration

A technical assistance report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted the “dire conditions” of the Information Systems (IS) departments within the Lebanese tax and customs administrations. As per the IMF report, there is a real and pressing concern about the imminent collapse of Lebanon's tax and customs administrations. The ...

Finance Minister Extends Tax Payment Deadlines
Finance Minister Extends Tax Payment Deadlines

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil announced on Tuesday evening the extension of payment deadlines for certain taxes. This initiative is designed to give taxpayers more time to pay their dues and avoid having them sustain penalties for late payment. The deadline to submit the annual income tax return and the Beneficial Owner Statement ...

Budgets of Five Ministries Discussed in Committees
Budgets of Five Ministries Discussed in Committees

The parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, led by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, kicked off the year by holding two meetings on Tuesday. The committee reviewed and approved the budgets of the Ministries of Health, Labor, Tourism, Economy and Foreign Affairs as part of the assessment of the budget proposal for the year 2024. This proposal was endorsed by ...

Bayram: Minimum Wage Increase
Bayram: Minimum Wage Increase

Caretaker Minister of Labor Moustafa Bayram announced the standardization of travel allowances across the public and private sectors, along with an increase in the minimum wage for the private sector. In an interview with "Voice of All Lebanon," he disclosed that the index commission will convene next Thursday. "We will announce the ...

The Notable Events of 2023
The Notable Events of 2023

The year 2023 has been marked by numerous uncertainties and cautious optimism in Lebanon. The economic retrospective of the past year is largely shaped by the impacts of a series of economic and political upheavals. However, amidst the challenges, there have been positive developments. Let's reflect on some significant events. The Dollar Reaches ...

Retirement Pension Plan: Not in the Near Future
Retirement Pension Plan: Not in the Near Future

  The retirement pension plan, set to replace the end-of-service benefits, was approved by Parliament on December 15. Nevertheless, its implementation hinges on the signing and promulgation of approximately fifteen implementation decrees. Mohamad Karaki, the General Director of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), has indicated that ...

Commercial Leases: Landlords Versus Tenants
Commercial Leases: Landlords Versus Tenants

Parliament meticulously voted on December 15, 2023 on the law regarding commercial leases. Despite the National Assembly's careful consideration, tenants and landlords voiced their dissatisfaction—a much-expected reaction, to say the least. Amid great socio-economic fragility, the law enacted on December 15, 2023 is progressively ending, over ...