International Monetary Fund

Cautious Optimism Persists as Lebanon’s Retail Sector Remains Sluggish

This Is Beirut, 15/05 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Gulf International Monetary Fund

The latest Retail Trade Index published by the Beirut Traders Association and Fransabank for the first quarter of 2025 is bluntly titled: “A cautiously optimistic start to the year… but commercial activity remains sluggish.” A headline that reflects a climate both promising and uncertain. The optimism stems largely from notable political ...

Ongoing Crisis in Lebanon: Economic Downturn Continues in 2024

This is Beirut, 30/04 08:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund Lebanon Growth GDP-Lebanon

Sharp GDP Contraction Lebanon is now in its sixth consecutive year of economic crisis, with key indicators remaining at their lowest levels, according to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) report published in April 2025 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). GDP contraction continues, and despite a slight easing of inflation and the current ...

Washington: Hezbollah’s Financing and Disarmament are Interconnected

Bassam Abou Zeid, 26/04 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah International Monetary Fund Qard al-Hassan World Bank Lebanon US treasury

Combating the financing of terrorism was a central topic for the official Lebanese delegation at the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington. The most significant discussions were held with US Treasury Department officials, particularly involving Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and Central Bank ...

Divisions Stall Parliamentary Talks on Beirut Municipal Council Parity

This is Beirut, 25/04 11:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks International Monetary Fund Municipal Elections

Sectarian divides once again paralyzed legislative work in Lebanon, as Parliament failed to reach any concrete decision on the issue of Christian-Muslim parity within Beirut’s municipal council. The matter has now been referred to a parliamentary committee for further examination. During a plenary session held on Thursday evening, Lebanese ...

In Washington, Lebanon’s Central Bank Governor Calls for a Structured National Recovery

This is Beirut, 24/04 11:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Washington International Monetary Fund Banque du Liban

During the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, Banque du Liban Governor Karim Souhaid delivered a stark and candid assessment of Lebanon’s critical condition. Speaking to an audience of international experts and policymakers, Souhaid described a country “at a crossroads—between fragility and ...

‘Haircut:’ The Sharp Edge of Financial Cuts

Marc Saikali, 17/04 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Gulf International Monetary Fund

Just when we thought we’d seen it all in the Lebanese saga of economic collapse, the government rolled out a new episode—one so twisted it makes a Netflix series look like a documentary on quantum physics. A draft banking reform law, rushed through cabinet, casually proposes placing the burden of the collapse on depositors and local ...

Saudi Arabia: Reform and Disarmament a Priority in Lebanon

Bassam Abou Zeid, 16/04 21:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hezbollah International Monetary Fund Saudi Arabia Lebanon Reforms disarmament

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely observing Lebanon’s progress on two critical fronts: comprehensive reform and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The recent visit of Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan to Beirut underscored Riyadh’s insistence on meaningful developments in both areas. According to Lebanese officials who met with the envoy, bin ...

Council of Ministers Approves Draft Law on Banking Sector Restructuring

This is Beirut, 12/04 15:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund council of ministers banks

The Council of Ministers approved the draft law for reforming and restructuring the banking sector in a cabinet session headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, held at the Grand Serail on Saturday. The Council examined ten clauses from the draft law for banking sector reform, which includes 39 clauses in total. After the session, Minister of ...

Before Restructuring Banks, the Government Must Acknowledge the Systemic Crisis

This is Beirut, 10/04 14:15 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Banks International Monetary Fund Central Bank

Lebanon’s Cabinet approved on Tuesday the statement of justification for the draft law on the reorganization of banks, with a follow-up session scheduled for Friday to finalize the text. The initiative is framed by two core principles the government says it upholds: safeguarding depositors’ rights and revitalizing the banking sector so it can ...

US Envoy Calls for Hezbollah’s Disarmament to Secure Lebanon’s Future

This is Beirut, 08/04 15:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Hezbollah Lebanese Army International Monetary Fund Morgan Ortagus

In an interview with Al Arabiya News anchor Hadley Gamble, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus urged for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. She compared the Iran-backed group to a “cancer” that Lebanon must excise if it hopes to recover. During a diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates, Ortagus emphasized that ...

Finance Committee Postpones Decision on Lebanon's IMF Contribution

This is Beirut, 07/04 15:05 - Reading : less than a minute

International Monetary Fund Finance Committee Ibrahim Kanaan

The parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, has reaffirmed its commitment to “positive cooperation” with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, it decided to postpone its decision on increasing Lebanon's contribution to the institution by $423 million. The committee is waiting to consult with Finance ...

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