Lebanon seeks $22 billions at Paris conference amid fears of economic collapse

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LEBANON CENTRAL BANKFears of economic collapse have mounted ahead of the first parliamentary elections . Many worry that the Lebanese currency, which has been pegged at 1,500 to the dollar since 1997, could be devalued.  The state-owned electricity company is considered one of the biggest drains on the state budget, costing about $1.5 billion a year Lebanon hopes to secure billions of dollars for infrastructure this week at an international donor conference in Paris, as it grapples with low growth ,  soaring debt and 1.2 million Syrian refugees

About 1.5 million refugees have fled from Syria to Lebanon and the number keeps rising as the war escalates
About 1.2 million refugees have fled from Syria to Lebanon and the number keeps rising as the war escalates

Some 50 countries and international organizations are expected at the CEDRE (Cedar) conference that begins Friday, where Beirut will request up to $22 billion for an eight to 12 year investment program. Lebanon hopes an influx of cash will help revive the economy, which has been hammered by political unrest and spillover from the war in neighboring Syria.

Lebanon is home to some 1.2 million refugees, accounting for nearly a quarter of its population. The civil war next door has also hindered land exports to Jordan, Iraq and oil-rich Gulf nations.

From 2007 until 2010, Lebanon’s economy grew at an average of 9 percent annually. But it hit a major downturn in 2011, when a political crisis brought down the government and the Syrian uprising stoked unrest among Lebanese factions.

Since then, growth has averaged a mere 1.5 percent, according to government estimates, and rampant corruption has hollowed out infrastructure and basic services. Nearly three decades after the end of the 1975-1990 civil war, Lebanon still experiences frequent cutoffs of water and electricity. With public transport networks virtually non-existent, its aging roads are clogged with traffic. Chronic problems with waste management have sparked mass protests in recent years.

“Lebanon currently is facing major economic challenges, and these challenges range from budgetary problems to balance of payment to growth to unemployment,” said Nadim Munla, senior adviser to Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

“It has been characterized by many as a very difficult time,” with some calling it a “doomsday scenario,” he said.

Munla said the conference will be seen as a major success if Beirut can secure funding for the first stage of its investment plans, an estimated $10 billion. He says the private sector can supply another $4 billion for the projects, which are aimed at revitalizing water, electricity, telecom and waste services.

But critics fear the remainder of the financing will come from borrowing, exacerbating an already severe debt burden.

French authorities have stressed that Friday’s gathering is not a classic donors’ conference, and that no figure can determine its success.

Instead, it seeks to establish an investment plan around infrastructure, water, energy or education, delineate structural reforms so that investment works, and mobilize the private sector, according to the office of French President Emmanuel Macron. The conference will also adopt a follow-up mechanism to accompany the investment plan, it said.

Fears of economic collapse have mounted ahead of the first parliamentary elections in nine years, scheduled for May 6. Many worry that the Lebanese currency, which has been pegged at 1,500 to the dollar since 1997, could be devalued. Central Bank governor Riad Salameh has repeatedly dismissed those fears, saying the bank has assets worth $43.2 billion in addition to more than $11.5 billion worth of gold.

EDL headquarters in Beirut Lebanon. The sign reads Electricité du Liban - customer service . The state-owned electricity company is considered one of the biggest drains on the state budget, costing about $1.5 billion a year, depending on international oil prices. Tariffs have not gone up since 1996, even though many Lebanese say they would happily pay more if they could get 24-hour power instead of relying on costly neighborhood generators. Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article207999524.html#storylink=cpy
EDL headquarters in Beirut Lebanon. The sign reads Electricité du Liban – customer service . The state-owned electricity company is considered one of the biggest drains on the state budget, costing about $1.5 billion a year, depending on international oil prices.  Many Lebanese that are protected by armed  militia  reportedly do not pay their bills and tariffs have not gone up since 1996, even though many Lebanese say they would happily pay more if they could get 24-hour power instead of relying on costly neighborhood generators.

The state-owned electricity company is considered one of the biggest drains on the state budget, costing about $1.5 billion a year, depending on international oil prices. Tariffs have not gone up since 1996, even though many Lebanese say they would happily pay more if they could get 24-hour power instead of relying on costly neighborhood generators.

Hazar Caracalla, another adviser to the prime minister, said the Cabinet is committed to opening both electricity and telecoms to the private sector in hopes of improving services, and has already approved a framework for addressing the garbage crisis.

Last week, Lebanon’s parliament approved a budget — its second since 2005 — with a fiscal deficit of $4.8 billion. The national debt at the end of 2017 stood at $80 billion, or more than 150 percent of gross domestic product.

The militant Hezbollah group, which is part of the coalition government, has expressed concerns that the conference will add to the already massive debt. Other critics have suggested the conference, which is organized by France, is aimed at boosting Hariri’s pro-Western allies ahead of next month’s vote.

Munla hit back at critics, saying: “If they have an alternative, put it on the table and let’s discuss it.”

Nassib Ghobril, the chief economist at Bank Byblos, Lebanon’s third largest lender, said the international community is eager to support Lebanon’s stability, but will expect the government to implement urgently-needed reforms.

“The upgrade of infrastructure will help improve the competitiveness of the economy, but that’s not going to be enough without implementing structural reforms that would improve the investment climate and the business environment,” Ghobril said.

News Observer/AP
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7 responses to “Lebanon seeks $22 billions at Paris conference amid fears of economic collapse”

  1. “Many Lebanese that are protected by armed militia reportedly do not pay their bills ”
    Have a pretty good idea who this is ! No brainer !! I have heard from many officials that Amal and Hezbollah supporters reportedly killed or attacked many of the EDL employees/ contractors that show up on on occasion to read the electric meter and collect the charges

  2. Steve Harvey Avatar
    Steve Harvey

    The world should let Lebanon go the way of Venezuela. It’s one way to encourage civil war and kill more Hezbollah terrorists.

    1. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      Lebanon is not your business.

      1. your business is hateful infoprostitution, silly cow

  3. Arzna Avatar

    This is not very kind wish for Lebanon. Is this the kind of friendship Israelis offers Lebanon? with friends like that who needs enemies

    1. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      Why is your above post 4 months old..what has become of YaLibnan.
      News Observer/AP is an ordinary US News not political analyst.

      “AP News in Brief at 11:04 p.m. EDT”
      http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article212020079.html

    2. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      There are only Israeli Zionist ennemies on Yalibnan now.

      “Steve Harvey • 5 hours ago
      The world should let Lebanon go the way of Venezuela. It’s one way to encourage civil war and kill more Hezbollah terrorists”
      Is Steve Paul
      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ba10f466fbbe62d2c5e5dc860cbdac83fa1ad8aa29f7551734677cf40b571546.jpg . https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/743bc94f4a4f3d040eae80ec1181111941a94ce1bc81e507a643bedf9df2e513.jpg

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