This is Beirut, 11/06 15:40 - Reading : less than a minute
According to official statistics and reports from several local banks, Lebanon's public debt has exceeded the $100 billion mark. This historic level reflects years of accumulated budget deficits, inefficient public management, poor financial governance and a lack of structural reforms. This debt includes both domestic and external debt incurred ...
This is Beirut, 11/06 11:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The latest round of kabuki theater between Lebanon’s government and the IMF has produced what all such high-level summits inevitably do: a mixture of forced smiles, indecipherable jargon, and the vague scent of scorched-earth diplomacy. It also revealed something everyone in the room knew but no one had the courage—or funding—to fix: Lebanon ...
Mario Chartouni, 10/06 11:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
United Arab Emirates US economy sanctions nuclear program Iran Hong Kong
With nuclear talks stalled, Washington has opened a new front in its standoff with Tehran: financial warfare. On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a sprawling money-laundering network that covertly funnels funds to the Iranian regime. This clandestine financial system — a covert, ...
Liliane Mokbel, 07/06 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
In times of crisis, gold stands as the ultimate pillar of stability. Timeless, reassuring and resistant to passing trends, it shines brighter as financial markets falter. But a critical question remains: which form of gold offers better protection in turbulent times — jewelry or bullion? And is resale truly profitable? Historically, when ...
Johnny Kortbawi, 03/06 18:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Banks Central Bank of Lebanon economy finance
Lebanon’s economic crisis cannot be measured solely by the six years since its visible eruption in September 2019. Its roots extend much further back—to 1992 and the first government formed after the Taif Agreement. This period marked the beginning of Lebanon’s modern economic policies, shaped by the country’s financial establishment with ...
This is Beirut, 22/05 10:50 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
USA Donald Trump Economy Bitcoin
Equities sank and Treasuries remained under pressure following sharp losses on Wall Street fuelled by US economy fears as Donald Trump tries to push through fresh tax cuts that could balloon the already huge deficit. A weak auction of 20-year US government debt flashed a warning sign that the bond market was worried about the country's finances, ...
Maurice Matta, 21/05 20:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanon Economy Banks Karim Souhaid Nawaf Salam
It seems that the relationship between Banque du Liban (BDL) Governor Karim Souhaid and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is far from ideal. In fact, it can be described as tense – a situation that didn’t arise recently but dates back to Souhaid’s appointment as Governor of the Central Bank, which was secured through a majority vote in the ...
Liliane Mokbel, 14/05 13:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Cyprus Economy Medical Healthcare
Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF), Lebanon’s premier university hospital, is expanding to Limassol, Cyprus, with an ambitious project that will feature a state-of-the-art medical center and a faculty of medicine affiliated with Saint Joseph University (USJ). This strategic initiative is designed to meet the growing demand for specialized healthcare ...
This is Beirut, 07/05 21:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
BDL Banque du Liban Lebanon Economy Parliament
Presenting a 33-page document containing substantial remarks on the banking reform bill submitted by the government, the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Karim Souhaid, attended a session of the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee held mid-week. The session was chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan and attended by 40 parliamentarians, along ...
This is Beirut, 07/05 16:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)
NSSF Labor Ministry Mohammad Haidar minimum salary private sector economy
Minister of Labor Mohammad Haidar announced on Wednesday an immediate increase in the minimum wage for private sector employees, raising it to LBP 28 million, approximately $320 at the prevailing unofficial exchange rate. The increase, which represents more than a 50% hike, is the first step in a broader wage correction plan as Lebanon continues ...
This is Beirut, 06/05 05:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Ford United States Economy Tariffs
Ford reported a 65 percent drop in first-quarter profits Monday, citing a near-term drag on auto sales from new vehicle launches, as it withdrew its forecast amid tariff uncertainty. The carmaker estimated a full-year net hit of about $1.5 billion in adjusted operating earnings following President Donald Trump's myriad tariff actions since ...