Economy

Digital Revolution in Lebanon: The Ministry of Technology's Plan to Revitalize the Economy
Digital Revolution in Lebanon: The Ministry of Technology's Plan to Revitalize the Economy

Facing economic and technological challenges, Lebanon is turning towards a digital revolution to reshape its economy and services. In an interview with Akhbar al-’An, Kamal Shehadeh, Minister of the Displaced and State Minister for Technology Affairs and Artificial Intelligence, outlined an ambitious plan to modernize the country’s digital ...

Istanbul Mayor Arrested: An Economic Shock for Turkey
Istanbul Mayor Arrested: An Economic Shock for Turkey

Ekrem Imamoglu, mayor of Istanbul since 2019 and member of the Republican People's Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi or CHP in Turkish), the main opposition party, was incarcerated after being convicted of “public insults” against government officials. This development comes at a particularly difficult time for the Turkish economy, already ...

China’s BYD Posts Record Annual Revenue, Beats Tesla
China’s BYD Posts Record Annual Revenue, Beats Tesla

Chinese carmaker BYD saw a surge in revenue last year, a stock filing showed Monday, surpassing the $100 billion mark and beating rival Tesla as the Shenzhen-based firm accelerates its overseas expansion. BYD has emerged in recent years as the clear leader in China's highly competitive electric vehicle market, which is the largest in the ...

Historic Drought: Ecological and Economic Disasters
Historic Drought: Ecological and Economic Disasters

This year, Lebanon has experienced an exceptionally dry winter, with rainfall dropping by 70% compared to previous years. This prolonged drought is having devastating effects on multiple key sectors. Agriculture, water supply, energy, and even public health are all under threat due to the lack of precipitation. The consequences of this drought are ...

Beirut Stock Exchange: Trading Volume Drops 80%!
Figure of the weekBeirut Stock Exchange: Trading Volume Drops 80%!

The Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) saw a sharp decline in activity during the week of March 14, with trading volume dropping to 115,916 shares, compared to 570,083 the previous week. The total value of transactions also decreased, falling to $3.44 million from $4.94 million the week before, according to a report by Banque du Crédit ...

EDL Clarifies Power Rationing Measures
EDL Clarifies Power Rationing Measures

Electricité du Liban (EDL) explained on Friday the reasons behind the increased power-rationing amid ongoing daily protests in the Beqaa. Citizens in this area are expressing their discontent with what they consider to be an overly harsh rationing schedule. EDL explained that since the shutdown of the hydropower plants operated by the National ...

Salam Says There Will Be No Bank Deposit Haircuts
Salam Says There Will Be No Bank Deposit Haircuts

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated on Friday that “there will be no suppression of bank deposits,” and that he would “cross out the term ‘suppression of deposits,’” in a meeting at the Serail with a delegation from the Council of Lebanese Executives in Saudi Arabia. He added that his government’s objective is be to “return” the ...

Eggflation: When Eggs Turn into a Pricey Luxury!
Eggflation: When Eggs Turn into a Pricey Luxury!

Over the course of just one year, the price of eggs in the US has surged, jumping from under $2.52 in February 2024 to $8 per dozen in February 2025—a staggering increase of more than 65%. So, what’s behind this sudden price spike? The avian flu epidemic is a major factor. The outbreak has devastated millions of egg-laying hens in the US, with ...

Turkish Lira Plunges, Marking Its Biggest Weekly Drop in Two Years
Turkish Lira Plunges, Marking Its Biggest Weekly Drop in Two Years

The Turkish lira has experienced a historic plunge, recording its steepest weekly decline in nearly two years, following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul and leading opposition figure – a key opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The lira lost 3.7% over five days, marking its worst performance since June 2023, with the ...

‘Governance’ Dispute Persists as BDL Reserves Hit $10.746B
‘Governance’ Dispute Persists as BDL Reserves Hit $10.746B

The Cabinet approved on Thursday the administrative appointment mechanism, reaffirming ministers’ role in the process. Under the agreed framework, the relevant minister will propose a list of hors-cadre candidates, while the final decision rests with the Cabinet. Meanwhile, the appointment of a new Bank of Lebanon (BDL) governor remains ...

NSSF Announces Gradual Return to Pre-2019 Benefits and Disburses 605 Billion L.L. to Hospitals
NSSF Announces Gradual Return to Pre-2019 Benefits and Disburses 605 Billion L.L. to Hospitals

The Director-General of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Mohammad Karakeh, recently announced that CNSS benefits will gradually return to their pre-2019 levels once the necessary executive decisions regarding the increase in fixed hospital service rates are issued. These services include hospitalization in standard rooms, intensive care, ...