Lebanon Economy: Challenges and Economic Growth Potential
In 2008, the first year of the Doha Agreement that signaled the end of internal violence, the economy grew by 8.5%, 9% in the following year, and is on course to grow 7% in 2010.
Lebanon Economy: Overview of Lebanese Economy 2010
Today, Lebanon is still dominated by its banking sector, which comprises 35 percent of the economy. Lebanese banking is a home-grown industry, by which is meant that it is largely dominated by old families with a deep treasure chest of banking experience that guides them through both good times and bad.
Lebanon National Debt and Privatization
Nevertheless, numerous challenges remain to be met. Chief among these are: reducing the national debt; privatizing services and industries (such as telecom ); repairing infrastructure damaged by neglect and war (presently electricity and some other services are cut for a few hours each day); increasing broadband coverage; and a host of other problems long neglected as a result of stalemated government.
Lebanon Foreign Relations
The most serious foreign policy challenge facing both the government and the economy is another war with Israel. All political parties, including Hezbollah, are committed to developing the nation’s military forces. But all also agree that until a national army is ready, Hezbollah’s armed groups may again be relied upon in the event of an Israeli attack.
Political Situation in Lebanon: Government of National Unity and Reconciliation
Mohamed Chatah, Advisor to the Prime Minister Saad Hariri, best summarizes how Lebanon plans to navigate toward the future: “Politics in the Middle East is turbulent and Lebanon is often pulled in all sorts of directions. Because Lebanon is very diverse, this results in a noisy and often difficult democracy that we have to navigate through without abandoning our principles.”
Lebanon Politics: Understanding Recent Lebanon Politics
A tectonic development in Lebanon’s political history began with the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005. This resulted in huge demonstrations on March 8 (Hezbollah and its allies) and counter-demonstrations on March 14, 2005.
Lebanon Information
Lebanon is a not quite tiny, but definitely a small country nestled along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. About the same size as Jamaica, and ten percent less than Qatar, its total area of 10,400 km2 ranks it 166th on size out of 223 of the countries of the world.
Kuwait (Facts & Figures)
Background: Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by …
Kuwait Aviation: Middle East Aviation Sector Defying the Crisis
The Middle East Aviation and Kuwait aviation sector, is different because it is fueled by oil and government spending. If you look at the per capita figures in the Middle East, you will see some of the highest rates in the world and people often spend money on Kuwait travel and tourism. Therefore, the Kuwait aviation sector performs very well.
Kuwait Telecom: Wataniya Telecom Leading the Kuwait Telecom Sector
“There is high penetration and we have 115% penetration in the Kuwait telecom sector”, recounts Scott Gegenheimer, CEO of Wataniya Telecom. Kuwaitis like to chat, whether in private or in business. A Kuwaiti without an iPhone, Blackberry or Nokia phone is like Arabia without oil, purely unimaginable.