Liliane Mokbel, 06/09 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The 2026 draft budget spans 1,051 pages and 50 articles, yet still avoids any real tax reform. Distributed to ministers within the constitutional deadline, it relies almost entirely on indirect taxation, the most unfair burden for low- and middle-income households. In essence, it offers nothing new, repeating the same approach as the 2025 budget ...
Liliane Mokbel, 03/09 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
EDL Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Lebanon economy
Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract. The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains ...
This is Beirut, 19/08 16:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Gulf lebanon economy
The latest index of the Beirut Traders Association-Fransabank (Q2 2025) shows the first signs of a recovery in local markets, a welcome development as the World Bank forecasts 4.7% GDP growth for Lebanon in 2025 and a sharp drop in inflation. The retail trade index rose to 33.13 points in Q2 2025, up from 30.01 the previous quarter (base 100 = Q4 ...
Makram Haddad, 18/07 13:35 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Banks Beirut Port Central Bank of Lebanon Covid-19
“Have you ever thought about the suffering of hospitals?” That poignant question opened the press conference held on Thursday in Beirut by the Bikhazi Medical Group (BMG). In front of a crowd of journalists and healthcare professionals, hospital and union officials laid out, without sugarcoating, the suffering of a sector in crisis. A ...
This is Beirut, 15/07 14:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon
The circular (No. 170) published by the Banque du Liban, accompanied by Basic Decision No. 13335, marks a decisive turning point in regulating the Lebanese financial sector. By formally banning banks and financial institutions from any relationship with unauthorized entities, particularly the association Al-Qard Al-Hassan, the Banque du Liban is ...
This is Beirut, 08/07 18:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon
The Banque du Liban (BDL) has issued a directive requiring all banks, financial institutions, money exchange companies and electronic money transfer firms operating in Lebanon to accept all authentic US dollar banknotes, regardless of whether they are from older or newer series. In a statement released on Tuesday, the central bank emphasized that ...
This is Beirut, 01/07 18:15 - Reading : less than a minute
Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon lebanon
Banque du Liban (BDL) issued Circular No. 169 on Tuesday, introducing new restrictions on the transfer of deposits abroad in a bid to promote fairness among depositors amid Lebanon’s ongoing financial crisis. Under the new directive, banks are prohibited from transferring deposits outside Lebanon without prior approval from BDL. The measure is ...
This is Beirut, 30/06 16:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Washington International Monetary Fund Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Karim Souhaid
Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid wrapped up a round of high-level technical consultations in Paris and Washington focused on advancing structural reforms in the banking sector, according to a statement issued by Banque du Liban (BDL). The meetings aimed to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive reform plan supported by legislative and ...
Maurice Matta, 28/06 15:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund
The subcommittee of the parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, continues its review of the draft Banking Sector Restructuring Law. The discussions are centered on resolving divergences between the government's proposal, the IMF’s recommendations, and the proposals presented by Central Bank of ...
This is Beirut, 18/06 15:50 - Reading : less than a minute
Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon Lebanon
The Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) announced on Wednesday a one-year extension of Circulars 158 and 166, initially set to expire on June 30, 2025. The decision, which comes amid a prolonged financial crisis, aims to address the pressing needs of depositors and help preserve social stability. As part of the extension, BDL also increased the monthly ...
This is Beirut, 16/06 17:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
International Monetary Fund Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon Palestine Nawaf Salam Joe Raggi
In a landmark session held on Monday at Baabda Palace, the Cabinet ended an eight-year stalemate by approving a sweeping reshuffle of diplomatic appointments, signaling what officials described as a return to institutional order within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meeting since 10:30 AM, the Council of Ministers approved the full list of new ...
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 ...