This is Beirut - Economy

Trump Orders Firing of US Official as Cracks Emerge in Jobs Market

This is Beirut, 02/08 13:19 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

President Donald Trump said Friday he has ordered the firing of a key economic official, accusing her of manipulating employment data for political reasons after a new report showed cracks in the US jobs market. US job growth missed expectations in July, Labor Department data showed, and revisions to hiring figures in recent months brought them ...

Customs Revenues: Lebanon’s Unexpected Performance in 2025

Liliane Mokbel, 31/07 17:36 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Customs revenues Fiscal revenues Economy

It’s both a welcome and surprising development: in 2025, Lebanon’s state treasury saw a significant rise in customs revenues – and this happened without any increase in customs duty rates. According to the World Bank (Lebanese Monitor report, Turning the Tide, Spring 2025), public revenues reached $4 billion in 2024, with $3 billion coming ...

Lebanese Weddings: A Factory of Bliss and Big Bucks

Christiane Tager, 31/07 17:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Summer Weddings Economy

Today, Lebanese weddings are no longer just about love; they’re major financial productions. Each celebration activates an entire economic ecosystem: fully booked wedding planners, photographers and videographers charging thousands of dollars, gourmet caterers offering five-star menus, florists capable of transforming any venue into a lush ...

Reforming PPPs in Lebanon: Modernizing Without Repeating Past Mistakes

Liliane Mokbel, 30/07 15:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Economy Private sector Public sector

Jaber wants a smarter, more effective PPP law, one that reflects the lessons of what he describes as a disappointing past. He was rather clear in an early July statement to An-Nahar, as he sharply criticized the PPP contract between Electricité du Liban (EDL) and service providers, calling it a “big lie.” He believes the deal should have been ...

Caminos Lebanon: When Pilgrimage Routes Drive Economic Revival

Christiane Tager, 25/07 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

tourism lebanon economy

The idea is bold: stimulate the economy by banking on pilgrimages. That is the goal of Caminos Lebanon, a sustainable religious tourism initiative backed by the Association for Pilgrimages in Lebanon (APL) and led by expert Nour Farra Haddad. The ambition is to turn Lebanon into a key destination for faith-based travel. But this goes far beyond ...

No Rental Car in Sight! Lebanon’s Cars Are Fully Booked

Christiane Tager, 25/07 11:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cars Rental Lebanon Economy

Lebanon is in rental saturation mode. Bad luck for latecomers: this summer, finding a rental car in Lebanon is nothing short of a miracle. With the rush of returning expats, agencies are fully booked and every set of keys is already in someone’s hand. Between traffic jams, soaring prices and empty apps, Lebanon is on the move. There are about ...

Syria’s Economy Reportedly Rebuilt in Shadows by President’s Brother

This is Beirut, 24/07 16:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Syria Economy Sanctions Reconstruction

A Reuters investigation uncovered a covert campaign to restructure Syria’s shattered economy, led by the new president’s brother, Hazem al-Sharaa, and an Australian of Lebanese descent, Abraham Succarieh, who is under international sanctions for alleged terrorism financing. Operating through an unannounced “shadow committee,” the pair has ...

The Country Is Full and So Is Mom’s Sofa

Christiane Tager, 22/07 23:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

hotels tourism expatriates economy

At first glance, everything points to a booming summer season: the diaspora is back in large numbers, the airport is stretched to its limits with nearly 100 flights a day, and the highways resemble a Lebanese remake of the Paris ring road. But behind the scenes, the tourism picture tells a different story. Hotels are struggling, occupancy rates ...

Lebanon: Exports on the Rise, Trade Deficit Worsens

Liliane Mokbel, 19/07 18:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Turkey United Arab Emirates United States economy trade industry exports

According to data from the Higher Council of Customs, Lebanese exports rose by 21% between January and May 2025, reaching 1.5 billion dollars compared to 1.2 billion a year earlier. This increase reflects renewed competitiveness for “Made in Lebanon” products, which are seen as better suited to local purchasing power and more reliable in ...

Fuel Prices Drop in Lebanon After Tax Removal Ruling

This is Beirut, 18/07 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon Fuel Prices Tax Economy motorists

Fuel prices in Lebanon dropped significantly on Friday following the removal of a previously imposed tax. The measure, recently announced by the authorities, comes amid a challenging economic climate marked by persistent currency fluctuations and mounting pressure on consumers’ purchasing power. The decision had an immediate effect, causing a ...

Lebanon-Cyprus Maritime Border Talks Reach Critical Stage

Bassam Abou Zeid, 18/07 09:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cyprus Lebanon Syria Oil economy exploration gas maritime borders

Lebanon’s push to revive oil and gas exploration in its Exclusive Economic Zone remains stuck in limbo. Political gridlock and regional volatility have stalled progress, and even French energy giant TotalEnergies – holder of the license for Block 9 – has yet to take any operational steps or issue public statements. The only current movement ...

Crisis and Creativity: How Lebanese Brands Are Carving Out Their Place

Liliane Mokbel, 17/07 14:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Economy Entrepreneurs Exports New brands Franchise

Faced with soaring import costs and an ongoing multifaceted crisis, Lebanese entrepreneurs have shown remarkable ingenuity. Paradoxically, the country’s challenges have acted as a catalyst, pushing many in the private sector to create their own commercial brands. In a local market hungry for revitalization, particularly following the gradual ...

Economy