This is Beirut - Economy

EDL vs. Private Generators: Lebanon’s Daily Electricity Battle

Liliane Mokbel, 03/09 15:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

EDL Central Bank of Lebanon Banks Lebanon economy

Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract. The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains ...

Mobile Plans: When ‘Better Deals’ End Up Costing More

Christiane Tager, 02/09 15:35 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon economy communication Internet Mobile phone Alfa Touch

For years, Lebanon has struggled with failing essential services and soaring costs. This also applies to the mobile phone sector. With “adjusted” plans and unreliable networks, subscribers oscillate between resignation and frustration, all while waiting for a clear signal, both figuratively and literally. Here’s an example of a revision and ...

Iran and the Sanctions’ Reinstatement: From Balance to Isolation

Paul Guillot, 01/09 15:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks Europe Iran Economy Sanctions

Three months after the “twelve-day war” with Israel, Iran is struggling to keep its economy afloat under severe US sanctions. With mounting military pressure, the return of European sanctions and the continuing collapse of its currency, the Islamic Republic has never been more vulnerable. Fragile Growth Despite decades of international ...

Budget 2026: Quick Taxes or Deep Reform?

Liliane Mokbel, 31/08 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon economy Budget 2026 Taxes Reforms

For 2026, the Finance Minister has promised a deficit-free budget, with revenues and expenditures in balance. An attractive prospect, but at what cost to Lebanese households? Tax hikes and new levies could quickly turn that balance into a burden for taxpayers. The draft budget has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Council of ...

After a Strong First Half, Lego Aims to Keep Expanding Its Hold on the Toy Market

This is Beirut, 27/08 15:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lego Economy

Buoyed by a net profit and revenue increase of more than 10% in the first half of the year, Danish toy giant Lego plans to continue gaining market share despite a volatile global environment, the company’s CEO said in an interview with AFP on Wednesday. “In recent years, we’ve consistently outpaced market growth and gained share,” said ...

US Asks Israel to Limit Lebanon Operations, Pushes for a ‘Trump Economic Zone’

This is Beirut, 21/08 21:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Trump Israel Hezbollah Economy Security

The Trump administration has asked Israel to reduce non-urgent military operations in Lebanon to support a wider disarmament initiative, while planning a “Trump economic zone” in parts of southern Lebanon, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Officials say the limitation could be extended if the Lebanese Armed Forces take ...

Beirut Traders Index Points to Fragile Economic Rebound

This is Beirut, 19/08 16:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Gulf lebanon economy

The latest index of the Beirut Traders Association-Fransabank (Q2 2025) shows the first signs of a recovery in local markets, a welcome development as the World Bank forecasts 4.7% GDP growth for Lebanon in 2025 and a sharp drop in inflation. The retail trade index rose to 33.13 points in Q2 2025, up from 30.01 the previous quarter (base 100 = Q4 ...

‘Standard & Poor’s’ Maintains Lebanon’s Foreign Currency Rating at SD, Warns of Weak Governance

This is Beirut, 16/08 19:15 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon economy

The international credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has raised Lebanon’s long-term local currency rating to CCC with a stable outlook, while maintaining its foreign currency rating at SD, according to Reuters. The agency explained that the risks of Lebanon defaulting on local debt remain, due to spending pressures, limited access to ...

Golden Controllers: The Hidden Economy of Video Games

Christiane Tager, 15/08 20:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

economy video games

Free to play… yet astonishingly profitable, today’s video games turn our clicks into cash. Microtransactions, virtual concerts and blockbuster partnerships have made Fortnite, Candy Crush and their peers billion-dollar giants. And in Lebanon, players show no sign of putting down their controllers anytime soon. Video games, once seen as mere ...

The Court of First Instance in Mount Lebanon Allows the Lifting of Seizures on Bank Assets

This is Beirut, 14/08 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Lebanon Economy Justice

The Court of First Instance in Mount Lebanon, through its Third Chamber handling real estate matters and composed of judges Yamen El-Hajjar (presiding), Elissia Abou Jaoudeh, and Fatima Bazzi, issued a key ruling in a case filed by Mrs. Sara Audi Attaya, represented by her attorney Riad Hallaj, challenging a decision by the Baabda Land Registry ...

Aoun: Lebanon’s Main Problem Is Corruption, Not Bankruptcy

This is Beirut, 14/08 14:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Joseph Aoun lebanon Abu Dhabi economy business

President Joseph Aoun on Thursday emphasized that Lebanon’s primary challenge is corruption, “because there has been no accountability.” Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi, Aoun noted that “today, there is a judiciary, cases are being opened, and there are no prohibitions or red lines ...

Sales in Lebanon: Swing Between Bargains, Illusions and Economic Survival

Christiane Tager, 08/08 16:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Economy Shopping Lebanon Sales

For many Lebanese, sales are the only time of year when long-desired items become remotely affordable: a pair of sneakers, a designer dress or a household appliance. With wallets worn thin by inflation, a devalued currency and eroding purchasing power, discounts provide a much-needed breather. But while some shoppers welcome the relief, others ...

Economy