This is Beirut, 05:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States China Donald Trump Economy Markets
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday played up prospects of a "fair deal" on trade with China, but his top officials offered few details of how Washington might de-escalate its damaging tariff war with Beijing. Trump told reporters his country would have a "fair deal with China," adding that "everything's ...
This is Beirut, 23/04 14:35 - Reading : less than a minute
Lebanon's consumer price index for March 2025 recorded an increase of 0.44% compared with February 2025. The annual change in the consumer price index for March 2025 was 14.19% compared with March 2024. Concerning the monthly variation of the index by governorate, the figures are as follows: Beirut: up 0.33 Mount Lebanon: up 0.11 North: up ...
This is Beirut, 22/04 12:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Economy Lebanon Banks Parliament
As Lebanon grapples with a deep financial crisis and seeks to overhaul its banking system, a proposed amendment to the country’s banking secrecy law has sparked major controversy. Though introduced under the banner of transparency and reform, the changes raise serious concerns about individual privacy, data protection, investor confidence, and ...
This Is Beirut, 21/04 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Following the adoption of the draft law for reforming and reorganizing the banking sector in Lebanon, the government will begin preparing a law to address the financial gap, intended to restore financial system stability. However, the implementation of the banking reform and reorganization bill is suspended until the law on the financial gap is ...
This Is Beirut, 19/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The experiences of many countries with international financial institutions—chief among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—show that such partnerships often lead to counterproductive results. Instead of rescuing economies from crisis, the so-called reform programs have deepened structural and financial problems. In many cases, these ...
This is Beirut, 18/04 11:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
An official Lebanese delegation is heading to Washington, DC to participate in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, carrying with it new promises and commitments aimed at pleasing these two international institutions. It seeks to convince them that Lebanon has indeed embarked on the path of reform and seeks to go even further by fulfilling all ...
Liliane Mokbel, 17/04 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Economy Public domain coastline
After decades of laissez-faire, has the tide finally turned? Breaking with a long-standing tradition of complacency toward violations of the coastline, the government of Nawaf Salam has withdrawn three controversial decrees adopted under the Mikati administration. These decrees had legitimized the appropriation of over 140,000 square meters of ...
This is Beirut, 17/04 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
In a notable move, President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, submitted two appeals before the Constitutional Council. The first concerns Law No. 1, which came into force by default and relates to the rental of non-residential spaces. The second concerns Law No. 2, also effective by default, aimed at amending certain provisions regulating the ...
This is Beirut, 17/04 14:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Asia's major exporters Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan are among the first economies to open negotiations with Washington over US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, taking advantage of a 90-day reprieve from the global trade war. Notably absent from those trying to reach a compromise with Washington is China, which faces levies of up to 145 ...
This is Beirut, 16/04 18:49 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
The Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, has tentatively approved an increase in Lebanon's contribution to the International Monetary Fund, requesting Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to provide a study on the feasibility of raising Lebanon’s contribution by $423 million. According to Kanaan, the increase in ...
Christiane Tager, 15/04 22:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Gulf Joseph Aoun United Arab Emirates Qatar economy
The visit, which began Tuesday in Doha, aims to solidify bilateral relations and formally acknowledge Qatar’s support during Lebanon’s recent presidential election. However, beyond symbolic gestures, high-level discussions will focus on economic recovery, energy cooperation, and Qatar’s potential role in stabilizing Lebanon’s ailing ...
This is Beirut, 12/04 12:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iraq Iran Sanctions US economy
Every Friday, Alawi crosses the border from Iran into Iraq to sell his produce in the markets of Basra, which serve as a haven for Iranians grappling with economic sanctions. He is just one of many Iranian peddlers who endure the arduous journey into southern Iraq through the Chalamja border crossing. They bring essential goods such as chicken, ...