This is Beirut

Central Bank of Lebanon’s Governor Proposes a Specialized Body for Bank Restructuring

Maurice Matta, 15:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Banks Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund

The subcommittee of the parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, continues its review of the draft Banking Sector Restructuring Law. The discussions are centered on resolving divergences between the government's proposal, the IMF’s recommendations, and the proposals presented by Central Bank of Lebanon’s (BDL) ...

A Home for $100,000: Housing Bank Boosts Loan Cap

Christiane Tager, 27/06 21:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks South Lebanon

The Housing Bank (Banque de l'Habitat, BDH) has raised the ceiling for subsidized housing loans to $100,000. No miracle here, just solid financing. “This increase from $50,000 to $100,000 was made possible by a funding package – currently under negotiation – granted by the Qatar Fund to the Housing Bank,” said BDH CEO Antoine Habib in a ...

Israel Designates Iran Central Bank 'Terror Organization'

This is Beirut, 25/06 17:04 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks Israel

Israel's defence minister on Wednesday designated Iran's central bank a "terror organization," saying the move was aimed at halting financing for Iran-backed militant groups the day after a ceasefire between the two foes took hold. Minister Israel Katz "signed a special order designating Iran's central bank, two ...

Parliamentary Committees Approve $200 Million WB Loan to Revitalize Agricultural Sector

This is Beirut, 24/06 21:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Nizar Hani lebanon GATE World Bank

In a move described as a “decisive step toward economic recovery and food security,” joint parliamentary committees on Tuesday approved a bill allowing Lebanon to sign a $200 million loan agreement with the World Bank (WB) to fund the Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE) program. Backed by the Ministry of ...

Lebanon on the Brink: War Fuels a Deepening Economic Crisis

Liliane Mokbel, 21/06 17:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Iran war, Lebanon is struggling — against all odds — to contain the economic fallout. A near-impossible task for a country still reeling from the toll of the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, which left it drained on human, financial and institutional levels. In this climate of escalating regional tension, ...

The World Bank Unveils a Roadmap to Revitalize the Economy in 2025

This is Beirut, 19/06 19:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks Middle East World bank Lebanon

The World Bank forecasts real GDP growth of 4.7% for Lebanon in 2025, driven by a recovery in tourism, moderate growth in consumption and the beginnings of renewed confidence, despite persistently weak private investment. This hoped-for rebound is based on the implementation of a one-year multisectoral action plan designed to accelerate ...

Syria Resumes SWIFT Transfers for First Time Since 2011

This is Beirut, 19/06 16:30 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Syria Italy SWIFT economy

For the first time since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Syria has completed an international bank transfer via the SWIFT system – a symbolic step toward reintegration into the global financial network. The announcement came on Thursday from Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh, who revealed in an interview with Reuters that ...

BDL Raises Monthly Withdrawal Limits

This is Beirut, 18/06 15:50 - Reading : less than a minute

Banks Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon Lebanon

The Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) announced on Wednesday a one-year extension of Circulars 158 and 166, initially set to expire on June 30, 2025. The decision, which comes amid a prolonged financial crisis, aims to address the pressing needs of depositors and help preserve social stability. As part of the extension, BDL also increased the monthly ...

Why Stablecoins are Gaining Popularity

This is Beirut, 18/06 09:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Banks cryptocurrency USA

Stablecoins -- a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets -- are gaining traction, with the US Senate set to vote Tuesday on a bill to regulate such digital tokens. But as stablecoins move closer to the financial mainstream, experts warn that weak regulation could leave investors and the financial system vulnerable. What are ...

Government Breaks 8-Year Deadlock: Major Diplomatic and Economic Reforms

This is Beirut, 16/06 17:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

International Monetary Fund Banks Central Bank of Lebanon Israel Joseph Aoun Lebanon Palestine Nawaf Salam Joe Raggi

In a landmark session held on Monday at Baabda Palace, the Cabinet ended an eight-year stalemate by approving a sweeping reshuffle of diplomatic appointments, signaling what officials described as a return to institutional order within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meeting since 10:30 AM, the Council of Ministers approved the full list of new ...

Key Appointments at Banque du Liban Still Pending

Maurice Matta, 05/06 16:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Banque du Liban Central Bank of Lebanon International Monetary Fund Banks Joseph Aoun

The terms of the four vice-governors of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) will expire on June 11, along with those of the chairman and members of the Banking Control Commission, as well as three experts on the Capital Markets Authority. In line with Article 18 of the Code of Money and Credit, the governor of BDL is appointed by decree for a ...

Lebanese Wine Industry Embraces AI for a Sustainable Future

This is Beirut, 04/06 20:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Banks European Union Lebanon

In a pioneering move toward modernizing agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union held a workshop in Lebanon focused on the integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable viticulture. Organized in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Vine and Wine ...

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