Economy

China Vice Premier to Meet US Delegation for Trade Talks

This is Beirut 07/06 22:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Republicans United Kingdom White House

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet a US delegation for talks next week in Britain, Beijing announced Saturday amid a fragile truce in the trade dispute between the two powers. He will visit the United Kingdom from June 8 to 13 at the invitation of the British government, China's foreign ministry said in a statement. It said He and ...

Gold in Uncertain Times: Jewelry vs. Bullion

Liliane Mokbel 07/06 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gold Economy Jewelry bullion

In times of crisis, gold stands as the ultimate pillar of stability. Timeless, reassuring and resistant to passing trends, it shines brighter as financial markets falter. But a critical question remains: which form of gold offers better protection in turbulent times — jewelry or bullion? And is resale truly profitable? Historically, when ...

Figure of the weekPublic Bus Use Surges to 4,600 Daily Riders, One Year After Launch

Liliane Mokbel 07/06 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Baalbeck

4,600 — that's the average number of passengers using public buses each day, one year after the launch of Lebanon’s state-operated public transport service, led by the Office of Railways and Public Transport. This marks a significant increase compared to the early days of the project, when daily ridership hovered between just 200 and 300 ...

Lebanon’s Real Estate: The Cautious Return of Arab Investors

Christiane Tager 06/06 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Baalbeck Gulf Real Estate Lebanon Property

During the first nine months of 2024, a total of 26,430 property transactions were recorded — an increase of 118% compared to 2023, according to well-informed sources. This surge is largely attributed to the resumption of land registry services after a prolonged administrative paralysis. The total value of sales reached nearly $1.85 billion. ...

Lebanon’s Hospitality Sector Declares Full Readiness for Summer 2025

This is Beirut 06/06 10:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

nightlife summer Lebanon hospitality

The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Shops officially announced that Lebanon’s hospitality and nightlife sector is fully ready for Summer 2025. “The tourism sector is fully prepared and will offer the highest level of service,” said Syndicate President Tony Ramy during a ceremony held on Thursday at ...

Key Appointments at Banque du Liban Still Pending

Maurice Matta 05/06 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund Banks Joseph Aoun

The terms of the four vice-governors of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) will expire on June 11, along with those of the chairman and members of the Banking Control Commission, as well as three experts on the Capital Markets Authority. In line with Article 18 of the Code of Money and Credit, the governor of BDL is appointed by decree for a ...

Gamers Get Hold of Nintendo's Hotly Awaited Switch 2

This is Beirut 05/06 12:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Japan Nintendo Switch 2

Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator. The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal ...

Brent Crashes: Black Gold Turns Weightless

Christiane Tager 05/06 10:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Ukraine United States USA

Just two years ago, Brent crude neared $100 per barrel following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As of Tuesday, the European benchmark traded around $65.70 per barrel—a level unseen since the depths of the 2020 pandemic. This steep and unexpected decline baffled analysts, even as it offers welcome relief to consumers. At the core of this ...

Trump Says Deal with Xi 'Extremely Hard' as Steel Tariffs Double

This is Beirut 04/06 22:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States China Tarrifs Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday it is "extremely hard" to reach a deal with China over a trade impasse that has roiled global markets, while his doubling of metal tariffs fueled tensions with key partners. Trump's latest salvos came as ministers from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries ...

Running Low? Unleaded to the Rescue

Christiane Tager 04/06 21:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Crisis Fuel prices Private sector

The Lebanese government seems to be taking its cue from an old maxim: “When in trouble, raise the taxes.” In a decision that hit like a bombshell, authorities announced a sharp hike in fuel prices – despite a global drop in oil costs. The official rationale? To fund social aid. The logic? Ease the burden on the poor by adding to the strain ...

Lebanese Wine Industry Embraces AI for a Sustainable Future

This is Beirut 04/06 20:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks European Union Lebanon

In a pioneering move toward modernizing agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union held a workshop in Lebanon focused on the integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable viticulture. Organized in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Vine and Wine ...

No Political Veto on Kleiate Airport Rehabilitation Project

Liliane Mokbel 04/06 19:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Nawaf Salam Hezbollah Kleiate Airport

The rehabilitation project for Kleiate Airport – also known as René Moawad Airport – in Akkar, northern Lebanon, is moving ahead at a steady pace. In an interview with This is Beirut, Akkar MP Sagih Atieh, who chairs the parliamentary Public Works Committee, stated that “the reactivation process is proceeding normally, and there has been no ...