Economy

NSSF Disburses Nearly LBP 1,500 Billion in Healthcare Payments
NSSF Disburses Nearly LBP 1,500 Billion in Healthcare Payments

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) announced that it has disbursed nearly LBP 1,496 billion to hospitals, physicians and insured individuals since the beginning of 2025, according to a press release issued by its Public Relations Department. Breaking down the figures, the NSSF detailed that LBP 710 billion was allocated for fixed-fee ...

Saudi Arabia Announces Major Gold Discovery
Saudi Arabia Announces Major Gold Discovery

As gold prices surge to historic highs, surpassing $2,300 an ounce amid mounting geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, Saudi Arabia announced a major gold discovery that could further cement its position in the global mining sector. Saudi Arabia’s state-owned mining company Ma’aden revealed the discovery of significant gold deposits ...

Jordan to Allow Import of Lebanese Lemons Starting May 10
Jordan to Allow Import of Lebanese Lemons Starting May 10

In a development welcomed by Lebanese farmers, Jordan will officially begin allowing imports of Lebanese lemons–all varieties included–starting May 10, 2025. The Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture announced on Sunday that it had granted import licenses for Lebanese lemons. Applications for these licenses opened on Saturday, May 3, and will be ...

Iraqi Fuel: $1.4 Billion Debt to Be Settled
Iraqi Fuel: $1.4 Billion Debt to Be Settled

Beirut-Baghdad, a partnership now under high tension! As Lebanon continues to face a chronic energy crisis, Finance and Energy Ministers Yassine Jaber and Joe Saddi embark on a joint visit to Iraq this Monday with the aim of salvaging the fuel oil supply agreement signed in 2021 – under which Baghdad supplies fuel to power Lebanese plants – ...

Only 1 in 5 Motorcycles Registered in Lebanon
Figure of the weekOnly 1 in 5 Motorcycles Registered in Lebanon

According to the Traffic and Vehicle Management Authority (commonly referred to as "la Mécanique") and data from the research firm Information International, only 289,000 motorcycles were officially registered in Lebanon as of 2022. However, this number is believed to represent just 20% of the actual motorcycles on the road. In both 2023 and ...

US Approves $3.5 bn Missile Sale to Saudis
US Approves $3.5 bn Missile Sale to Saudis

The United States on Friday approved a $3.5 billion sale of missiles to Saudi Arabia, ahead of a visit to the kingdom by President Donald Trump. The State Department said it notified Congress of the deal that will include Saudi Arabia's purchase of 1,000 medium-range air-to-air missiles. The AIM-120 missiles, whose principal contractor is ...

Trade War: China Navigates the Storm with a Steady Compass
AnalysisTrade War: China Navigates the Storm with a Steady Compass

Since Washington decided to strike hard with 145% tariffs, trade relations between China and the US have shifted from a negotiation table to a boxing ring. The blow is heavy: in 2024, the US alone accounted for nearly $500 billion in Chinese imports, making it Beijing’s largest commercial partner. In real terms, nearly one in five Chinese ...

US Stocks Rise After Solid April Jobs Data
US Stocks Rise After Solid April Jobs Data

Wall Street stocks rose early Friday, digesting a better than expected US jobs report as Apple shares fell on a hit due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. The world's largest economy added 177,000 jobs last month, down slightly from the level in March but above analyst expectations. “The key takeaway from the report is that the ...

Food Security: Economy Minister Launches Strategic Study With FAO and WFP
Food Security: Economy Minister Launches Strategic Study With FAO and WFP

The Minister of Trade and Economy, Amer Bisat, held talks with representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP), in the presence of the Director General of Cereals and Sugar Beet and the Director of Grain Silos. Discussions focused on the development of a national food security strategy and the ...

Telecoms: Charles Hage Bets on Social Dialogue to Revive the Sector
Telecoms: Charles Hage Bets on Social Dialogue to Revive the Sector

Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage held an extended meeting on Friday with the newly elected board of the mobile telecom employees’ union, in the presence of the management teams from both Alfa and Touch. The meeting addressed employee rights, sector reform, and the need for a model based on merit and productivity. In his remarks, the ...

Ministerial Delegation Heads to Baghdad for Fuel Talks
Ministerial Delegation Heads to Baghdad for Fuel Talks

In light of the ongoing challenges facing Lebanon’s energy sector, a Lebanese ministerial delegation will travel to Baghdad to strengthen cooperation with Iraq. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and Energy Minister Joe Saddi will be in Baghdad on Monday to revive discussions with Iraqi authorities regarding the supply of fuel to Lebanon’s ...

Sun on the Horizon, Rough Skies Ahead: Summer 2025 Takes Off
Sun on the Horizon, Rough Skies Ahead: Summer 2025 Takes Off

As Lebanon gears up for the 2025 summer tourist season, it looks forward to sunny days but remains wary of potential challenges. With the return of expatriates, regional tensions, Israeli ceasefire violations and an economy seeking stability, the Lebanese tourism sector finds itself navigating turbulent waters. Yet, as the saying goes, “After ...