Liliane Mokbel is an experienced journalist and editor specializing in economics, with many years of work in print media and radio. A graduate of ESCP Business School, she is also skilled in web writing and proficient in AI-assisted content creation tools, offering insightful and accessible analysis of curret economic issues.
Liliane Mokbel 21/12 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute
The Lebanese population is estimated at 5.77 million in 2023, up from 5.74 million in 2022 and 5.72 million in 2021, according to ESCWA. Lebanon's demographic trends reveal a steady growth rate since 1950, when the population stood at 1.35 million. By 2000, the population had reached 4.33 million, and by 2020, it had grown to 5.70 million. The ...
Liliane Mokbel 18/12 20:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The issue of counterfeit $50 bills appears to be nearing a resolution. Over 80% of shops, supermarkets and gas stations now accept these bills for cash payments. The remaining 15% mainly consists of small neighborhood businesses, which have been particularly affected by the economic crisis and the fragility of a cash-reliant economy. “Most ...
Liliane Mokbel 14/12 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute
Hezbollah Israel damage reconstruction
The price of a meter of glass has surged to $80, up from $30 before the start of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This price does not include the cost of labor for installation. Glaziers attribute the increase to a surge in demand, primarily driven by the reconstruction and repair of buildings and structures damaged by Israeli ...
Liliane Mokbel 13/12 20:07 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanese farmers continue to endure substantial losses. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, the movement of refrigerated and covered trucks between Lebanon and the Arab hinterland has become increasingly irregular. All Lebanese exports and imports sent overland to and from the Arab world are reliant on transit through ...
Liliane Mokbel 10/12 16:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Syria Reconstruction Caesar Act
According to estimates from various UN and international sources, Syria's reconstruction could yield benefits for all. However, these prospects remain uncertain and far from guaranteed. With the country still reeling from the war that followed the 2011 uprising, Syria's reconstruction is shaping up to be a lengthy and costly process, but it ...
Liliane Mokbel 08/12 13:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syria is left with a crumbling economy, shaped by decades of state control and average wages barely surpassing $40 per month. The country’s economic prospects now depend largely on the removal of American and Western sanctions, as well as financial assistance from the international community. ...
Liliane Mokbel 07/12 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute
The hotel occupancy rate in Beirut has fallen below 10%, while in other regions, it is approaching 0%, according to Pierre Achkar, president of the Union of Syndicates of Tourist Establishments in Lebanon. "Arab countries continue to boycott Lebanon, and European nations do not anticipate a swift return of their citizens. A mandatory waiting ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/12 18:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Central Bank of Lebanon Dollar Bills Counterfeit
Are counterfeit dollar bills circulating in the market? If so, it's clear that this issue is not limited to Lebanon but also affects other global markets. However, the Lebanese are particularly sensitive to it due to the country's economic crisis, which has left the cash economy in a fragile state, all amid a "neither peace nor war" situation ...
Liliane Mokbel 05/12 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The sector shows significant growth potential, however, realizing this requires enhancements to logistical infrastructure and improvements to the regulatory framework. According to Statista Market Insight, Lebanon’s e-commerce market is expected to reach $1.311 billion in revenue in 2024, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.88% ...
Liliane Mokbel 02/12 19:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Economy Industry Commerce Parliament Lebanon
Industrial and commercial business owners are celebrating a major victory. Last Thursday, Parliament passed in a plenary session the bill amending Article 45 of Decree-Law No. 144 of June 12, 1959 (the Income Tax Law). This amendment grants "exceptional authorization" to income taxpayers, allowing them to revalue their inventories and real estate ...
Liliane Mokbel 30/11 15:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) is easing the pressure to appease the foreign exchange market, amid a “neither war nor peace” climate that only heightens its volatility. The decision by the BDL’s Central Council, dated November 26, 2024, reflects clear intent to implement a “flexible monetary policy” even though this approach might ...
Liliane Mokbel 30/11 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute
According to Elie Kazzi, the President of the Syndicate of Used Car Importers, losses due to damage to imported vehicles during the war between Israel and Hezbollah are estimated at around $60 million. The sector remains particularly vulnerable, as many Lebanese are reluctant to buy used cars during periods of instability, especially since they ...
Liliane Mokbel 27/11 16:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Insurances Reinsurers
Reinsurers are hesitant to renew reinsurance contracts with Lebanese insurance companies — an expected approach in view of the conflict sparked by Hezbollah’s front against Israel. As the year-end approaches, most annual reinsurance agreements for the 40 insurance companies operating in Lebanon are set to expire. Negotiations have been ...
Liliane Mokbel 23/11 12:00 - Reading : less than a minute
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that 70% of the Lebanese agricultural sector has been affected, both directly and indirectly. Thousands of hectares have been completely or nearly destroyed, and 65,000 olive trees have been fully burned due to white phosphorus bombings, which are prohibited under ...
Liliane Mokbel 20/11 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Even before rebuilding residential and commercial units, priority will be given to restoring infrastructure as soon as hostilities end. This step is crucial to reestablishing the normal functioning of the social and economic fabric within any community. In this context, the caretaker government led by Najib Mikati, with the support of the World ...
Liliane Mokbel 17/11 19:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Hezbollah Israel economy consumption displaced
Many Lebanese have begun purchasing fruits and vegetables individually, a practice rarely seen in a culture that traditionally favors buying by the kilo. Grocery baskets have shrunk in both quantity and variety. Testimonies from mothers gathered by This is Beirut reveal a shift toward prioritizing legumes, which are more affordable than meat, ...
Liliane Mokbel 15/11 18:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Central Bank of Lebanon Hezbollah International Monetary Fund Israel Budget 2025
With spending on the rise and revenues falling short of expectations, the 2025 budget proposal is now effectively obsolete. The government must act swiftly to withdraw it from Parliament, where it was submitted on time, to prevent a deepening crisis. Why is a crisis inevitable? The current draft budget relies on unrealistic revenue projections, ...
Liliane Mokbel 14/11 11:25 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Donald Trump International Monetary Fund USA
While the dollar’s value is primarily shaped by US domestic factors, its fluctuations continue to ripple through the global economy. A 2023 International Monetary Fund (IMF) study found that the negative impact of a strong dollar tends to last around two and a half years in emerging markets, compared to just one year in developed economies. The ...
Liliane Mokbel 10/11 21:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
syria border crossings lebanon
The Lebanon-Syria border is dotted with countless unofficial crossing points. Without natural barriers like rivers, mountains or a coastal divide, an effective demarcation of the border remains challenging. There are currently only six official crossings, three of which have been put out of operation by Israeli strikes. Masnaa, Kaa, Daboussiyeh, ...
Liliane Mokbel 07/11 19:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Amal Central Bank of Lebanon Reserves
Political pressure from the Amal-Hezbollah duo on the government is mounting, driven by rising complaints among the displaced population and the decrease in international aid. Faced with limited options, Lebanon is now in a state of voluntary default. All eyes are set on the foreign currency reserves of Lebanon’s central bank (BDL) and the ...
Liliane Mokbel 05/11 18:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Amal Central Bank of Lebanon Displaced
The Shiite duo (Amal-Hezbollah) reportedly has its sights set on the funds in Lebanon's Treasury Account 36 to support the displaced. This account comprises funds collected by the Lebanese state, primarily from taxes, customs duties, donations and other sources of public revenue. Recently, Hezbollah and Amal MPs and ministers, including Hussein ...
Liliane Mokbel 31/10 19:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The Lebanese industrial sector has experienced a significant loss of domestic market share, with the notable exception of the pharmaceutical and food industries, as consumers increasingly prioritize essential goods. Furthermore, opportunities for international trade have diminished. According to Ziad Bekdache, Vice President of the Association of ...
Liliane Mokbel 25/10 19:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon United States lebanon
Lebanon has been officially placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, as announced on Friday. This expected decision came as no surprise. “Of course, we are aware of the extremely dramatic situation in Lebanon, currently,” said Mexican Gafi President Elisa de Anda Madrazo, following the FATF meeting in Paris. “I would like ...
Liliane Mokbel 24/10 14:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanese Army Middle East United States
“The Qlayaat René Mouawad Airport could be opened for air traffic in emergencies to reduce the risks faced by crews and passengers at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport,” stated Sajih Attieh, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Works and Transport, in an interview with This is Beirut. The President of the Private Pilots ...
Liliane Mokbel 20/10 16:52 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
According to several reliable sources, Lebanon could soon be added to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. A decision is expected in five days. If confirmed, this would hardly come as a surprise. However, rumors have circulated over the past 24 hours about a possible postponement of the decision to November rather than October, ...
Liliane Mokbel 18/10 12:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
insurance war risk gaza health
Lebanon is under fire, and insurance premiums against war risks are reaching historic peaks. Reinsurers adjust the prices of premiums in real-time, responding instantly to changes in the intensity of the fighting on the ground. What is valid at one moment may no longer be so a few hours later. It’s chaos. Renewing war risk insurance policies in ...
Liliane Mokbel 17/10 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Europe Gulf Kuwait Middle East Saudi Arabia Tehran Ukraine United States
Iran may have to resort to a strategic tool: control of the Strait of Hormuz. According to several analyses, this tactic could be as devastating as a nuclear weapon. However, unlike a nuclear weapon, whose use would bring catastrophic consequences for Iran itself, the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz serves as a form of "asymmetric ...
Liliane Mokbel 11/10 11:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
ABL Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon
In its meeting on October 9, 2024, the Central Council of Banque du Liban (BDL) amended main circular No. 166, extending its benefits to depositors who converted their funds from Lebanese pounds to foreign currencies after October 30, 2019. The council also updated main circular No. 147, requiring banks to return outstanding or circulating bank ...
Liliane Mokbel 09/10 14:52 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanese Army airport MEA Lebanon
Lebanese authorities are resolute in their commitment to maintaining the “intact” reputation of BRHIA, ensuring stringent security measures, order and adherence to the law. Furthermore, caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi and caretaker Minister of Transport and Public Works Ali Hamiye emphasized on Monday that ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/10 14:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
In Lebanon, a country plagued by violent military actions, disruptions in the supply chain were predictable, although they remain limited for now. One of the most vulnerable sectors is the importation of oil derivatives. On Friday, tankers registered under the Italian flag were six kilometers off the Lebanese coast when they received orders to ...