Economy
Page 3 / 6Macroeconomic coverage focused on Lebanon and the MENA region—growth, inflation, currency, employment, public finance, and major institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
Lebanon Launches Feasibility Study for a Beirut-to-Bekaa Rail Link
The study covers a freight railway from the Port of Beirut to the Masnaa border, plus an inland dry port in the Bekaa.
Lebanon has begun a feasibility study for a cargo railway connecting the Port of Beirut to the Masnaa crossing on the Syrian border, with a possible extension into Syria later on. The plan also includes a dry port in the Bekaa to store and process goods inland. Supporters say the corridor could cut trucking costs, ease road congestion, and reposition Lebanon as a regional trade route.
15,000 Visitors a Year: Inside Tannourine's Cedar Reserve
The northern Lebanon reserve has opened a trail for people with visual impairments, a first for the country's eco-tourism sector.
The Tannourine Cedar Reserve draws more than 15,000 visitors each year, and that number is climbing after the recent opening of a dedicated trail for people with visual challenges. The move positions one of Lebanon's largest cedar forests as a test case for inclusive eco-tourism.
Lebanon Weighs Lowering the Driving Age to 16
A reported parliamentary proposal would let 16-year-olds get a license, and the timing is raising questions.
A proposal to lower Lebanon's legal driving age from 18 to 16 has reportedly reached parliament's agenda. With the country averaging hundreds of road deaths a year and young men already over-represented in crashes, critics question the timing and the motives behind it.
Lebanon Floats $500,000 Golden Residency for Foreign Investors
A parliamentary committee is studying a residency-for-investment scheme that would also cover an investor's family.
Lebanon's Finance and Budget Committee has discussed a proposed Golden Residency program offering special residency to non-residents who invest at least $500,000 in the country. The plan, reported to cover three sectors and extend to family members for an annual fee, is aimed at drawing fresh capital from investors and the diaspora.
$650,000 Plan to Revive Lebanon's Public Libraries Begins
The Ministry of Culture and UNESCO want to double library visits outside Beirut within two years.
Lebanon's Ministry of Culture has launched a project to rehabilitate public libraries nationwide with UNESCO and foreign backing. The first phase targets 15 libraries, with a goal of doubling annual visits outside Beirut to 250,000.
Lebanon to Distribute 1.5 Million Vegetable Seedlings to Farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture and UNDP launched the project with German funding through KfW Development Bank.
Lebanon's Ministry of Agriculture and UNDP have launched a project to produce and distribute 1.5 million vegetable seedlings to farmers, funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank. The first phase covers 500,000 seedlings for highland farming areas across several governorates.
Lebanon's $232 Million Question: Saudi Export Ban May Be Nearing Its End
Direct talks between Beirut and Riyadh raise hopes of restoring a trade route worth $232 million a year.
Direct talks between Lebanon's president and Saudi leadership have revived the possibility of reopening Saudi markets to Lebanese exports. Before the 2021 ban, Lebanon was exporting $232 million a year to the Kingdom. New scanners at borders and verified export businesses are central to rebuilding trust.
Lebanon's Summer Tourism Season Buckles Under a New War
Renewed conflict and a regional fuel crisis have cut tourism revenues by roughly three quarters and emptied hotels.
Lebanon's tourism sector is absorbing the heaviest blow of the renewed war, with revenues down about 74 percent versus the 2024 season and hotel occupancy below 10 percent. Limited flights and surging airfares have isolated the country at the start of what should be its peak season.
How to Apply for an Official Housing Loan in Lebanon in 2026
The Housing Bank now lends up to $100,000 in fresh dollars, and the application runs entirely online.
Lebanon's official subsidized housing loan now goes up to $100,000 through Banque de l'Habitat, after the state lifted the previous $50,000 cap in 2025. This guide explains who qualifies, the loan terms, and the exact steps to apply through the bank's online platform.
BDL Studies New Lira Banknotes Up to 5 Million
The proposed denominations of 500K, 1M, 2M and 5M lira are framed as a logistics fix, not a monetary expansion.
Banque du Liban is reported to be studying new lira banknotes in denominations of 500,000, 1 million, 2 million and 5 million. The Head of BDL's Monetary Operations Unit, Dr. Ali Shreif, said the plan is about storage and logistics, not currency expansion. The market rate stands at 89,700 LBP per US dollar.
Lebanon Leads Arab World in PhD Holders, Study Finds
Lebanon's share of doctorate holders is more than double that of Saudi Arabia, the next country on the list.
Lebanon holds the top spot among Arab countries for the share of doctorate degree holders in its population, according to a study reportedly conducted by American research firm Caldwell. The figure places the country well ahead of larger and wealthier Arab economies. The ranking arrives at a time when Lebanese graduates continue to leave the country in large numbers.
BDL's Payment Provider Circular Reshapes Lebanon's Fintech Sector
Basic Circular No. 1 sets fees and rules for digital wallets, formalising operators that grew during the bank crisis.
Banque du Liban issued Basic Circular No. 1 of 2026 in January, establishing licensing categories, fees and operating rules for electronic payment service providers. The framework brings MyMonty, PinPay and other digital wallets under formal supervision after years of absorbing remittance flows that bypassed traditional banks.
