Liliane Mokbel 01/11 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Every year, the Lebanese state spends 135 million dollars to house its ministries, administrations, and public institutions in rented buildings across the country. This astronomical sum could have been largely saved. With better management of public finances, successive governments could have grouped several ministries under one roof, as is the ...
Liliane Mokbel 25/10 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
United Arab Emirates United States
Despite its deep economic and political turmoil, Lebanon continues to perform strongly in foreign trade. As of August 2025, the country’s exports remain focused on a few key sectors and select international markets, yet their value tells a story of resilience and expertise. Leading the way are pearls, precious stones and precious metals, which ...
Liliane Mokbel 18/10 14:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Lebanon is overwhelmed with gas stations. The country has 3,500 gas stations spread over 10,452 km². This amounts to one station for every 1,428 people, a ratio unique in the region and in Europe. For comparison: In France, one station serves 6,235 people. In Germany, one station serves 5,975 people. When considering land area, ...
Liliane Mokbel 11/10 14:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Every year, an estimated 50 million cubic meters of domestic wastewater are discharged into Lake Qaraoun. Added to this are 2 million cubic meters of industrial wastewater, as well as waste from Syrian migrant camps established by the state along the riverbanks. This toxic mix is putting one of Lebanon’s largest freshwater reservoirs at serious ...
Liliane Mokbel 04/10 14:00 - Reading : less than a minute
In the first half of 2025, aluminium imports rose by 70% compared with the average for the same period over the past four years. This increase reflects strong demand driven by reconstruction efforts. The price per tonne currently stands at around $4,234, slightly below the recent average of $4,700. However, it remains high compared to the peaks ...
Liliane Mokbel 27/09 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
A fresh wind is blowing through Lebanon’s tourism scene, and it’s coming from the mountains: guesthouses are on the rise. Once limited to around 40 discreet spots, there are now more than 300 open to visitors – true hidden gems nestled in the heart of villages. More than just places to stay, each guesthouse reflects the soul of its region: ...
Liliane Mokbel 20/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
A total of 2,600 job titles are set to be eliminated from the public administration, as proposed by Nisrine Machmouchi, President of the Civil Service Council. These roles, considered obsolete, are the result of years of what she describes as “anarchic recruitment” and “unusual” job titles, often lacking clear job descriptions. To ...
Liliane Mokbel 13/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
In Lebanon, the back-to-school season is no longer about fresh notebooks and new backpacks. Instead, it unfolds in the shadow of economic hardship and painful trade-offs. Families, overwhelmed by the ongoing financial crisis, are slashing their spending on school supplies, even as private schools continue to require new textbooks every year, often ...
Liliane Mokbel 06/09 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
Airbnb, the California-born success story, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of tourist accommodation worldwide, and Lebanon is no exception. The platform has seen remarkable growth across the country. The steadily increasing number of nightly listings reflects the scale of the phenomenon and is fueling growing concern within the hotel ...
Liliane Mokbel 30/08 16:00 - Reading : less than a minute
The 2025 wedding season in Lebanon has seen an unprecedented decline, confirming the continued downturn of a sector already weakened in recent years. According to industry professionals, the number of weddings has dropped to just 35% of pre-2019 levels, compared to 50% in 2023 and 40% in 2024. A total decrease of 65% since the beginning of the ...
Liliane Mokbel 16/08 15:00 - Reading : less than a minute
In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed 19.8% of Lebanon’s GDP, more than double its share in 2023 (8.4%), according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). This marks a significant rebound from 2019, when the sector represented 18.9% of GDP, before Lebanon faced a series of overlapping crises. In terms of revenue, the sector ...
Liliane Mokbel 09/08 15:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
In just a few months, the sun has set on Lebanon’s booming solar panel market. According to customs data, imports dropped by 72% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The total value fell to $21 million, down from $75 million in 2024, with volumes shrinking from 34,000 tons to 11,000 tons. The contrast is even ...