The Role of the US, EU and Arab Countries in Syria’s Economic Future

Liliane Mokbel 2025-02-26 15:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

European Union USA Europe Gulf Saudi Arabia

The Partial Lifting of European Sanctions Is Insufficient The partial lifting of European sanctions on Syria is a positive step that could help accelerate economic recovery. However, this measure remains inadequate given the urgent need for support. While some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, notably Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are willing ...

From Drought to Frost: A Disrupted Winter for Agriculture

Christiane Tager 2025-02-26 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

After an unusually dry and warm start to winter, a severe cold wave and snowfall have hit Lebanon, causing major disruptions in the agricultural sector, particularly affecting sensitive crops. Farmers are facing a delicate situation as exceptionally low temperatures challenge the resilience of their plantations. Agriculture is grappling with ...

Caroline Fattal Ranks 6th in Forbes Middle East’s 10 Most Influential Businesswomen

Christiane Tager 2025-02-25 21:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Forbes Caroline Fattal

Caroline Fattal, president of the eponymous group, has secured the sixth spot in Forbes Middle East’s ranking of the 10 most influential businesswomen leading family businesses in the Middle East. She thus establishes herself as a key figure in family business in the region. President of the Fattal Group since 2022, Caroline Fattal became the ...

Ukraine's Reconstruction Needs Surpass $500 Billion

This is Beirut 2025-02-25 14:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks European Union Ukraine United Nations

Ukraine will need over $500 billion to repair the damage resulting from the Russian invasion, which has entered its fourth year, according to a joint assessment published Tuesday. "The total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is $524 billion over the next decade," said a statement published by Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the ...

Potential Increase in Hospital Fees and Insurance Premiums

Christiane Tager 2025-02-25 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tensions persist between the Lebanese Hospital Owners' Syndicate and the Association of Insurance Companies. The conflict stems from a decision by the former, chaired by Sleiman Haroun, to increase hospital fees contracted with insurance companies by 15%, citing the need to “continue providing quality services to insured patients.” After ...

Decline in Commercial Activity According to Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Index

This is Beirut 2025-02-24 14:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Beirut International Airport Central Bank of Lebanon Index

The Beirut Traders Association – Fransabank Retail Trade Index for the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4-2024) recorded a value of 31.37, indicating a modest recovery in commercial activity, accompanied by cautious optimism about short-term improvements. In contrast, the index for the third quarter of 2024 had reached 35.06, reflecting a continued ...

Phosphorus Not Detected in Olive Trees of Southern Lebanon

This is Beirut 2025-02-24 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

South Lebanon

The Ministries of Agriculture and Environment issued a joint statement on Monday to reassure the public, stating, "In response to concerns about the impact of phosphorus on crops in the southern regions, initial laboratory tests conducted on samples, particularly olives, found no traces of phosphorus, ensuring they are safe for ...

China's Alibaba to Invest $50 bn in AI, Cloud Computing

This is Beirut 2025-02-24 10:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Alibaba AI Jack Ma Cloud computing

Chinese tech giant Alibaba said Monday it will spend more than $50 billion on artificial intelligence and cloud computing over the next three years, a week after co-founder Jack Ma was seen meeting President Xi Jinping. Investors have piled into Chinese technology stocks since the start of the year, with Alibaba – which runs some of the ...

IIF: A Glimmer of Hope for Lebanon

Liliane Mokbel     2025-02-23 12:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Finances

In a note titled “A New Era: The Urgency of Deep Reforms,” the Institute of International Finance (IIF) emphasizes that there is still hope for Lebanon. It outlines two possible scenarios: limited reforms or comprehensive reforms. According to its estimates, Lebanon’s economy shrank by 38% between 2018 and 2024, while the investment-to-GDP ...

Figure of the week113 Vacant Senior Positions in Lebanon’s Administration

Liliane Mokbel 2025-02-22 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Central Bank of Lebanon Public Administration Positions

113 senior positions within Lebanon's central administration are currently vacant and filled on an interim basis, according to sources close to the Grand Serail. This number is expected to increase by the end of 2025. Among the key positions to be filled are the Governor of the Central Bank (BDL), the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and the ...

14 Billion Dollars: The Devastating Losses of the Hezbollah-Israel Conflict

Christiane Tager 2025-02-21 22:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Nawaf Salam Hezbollah European Union Gulf Damage War

$14 billion! That is the historic and no less colossal amount of damage caused by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This sum includes both material damage and economic losses. The reconstruction costs are estimated at around $12 billion.   For Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, economic losses amount to at least $3 ...

Jaber: No Increase in Customs Fees or Taxes

This is Beirut 2025-02-21 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Iran Beirut Banque du Liban Custom fees

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber assured that there will be no increase in customs fees or taxes, while emphasizing that the state will ensure the collection of all its dues. Jaber emphasized that one of the prerequisites for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is combating customs fraud. He added that the state must strengthen ...