Innholdsfortegnelse for Nov-18 i Lebanon Opportunities

A mid the incessant complaining and defeatism that has overtaken the business community and people at large, it is essential to revisit the definition of success. Anything short of a perfect world has become synonymous with an apocalypse. The country’s morale is at rock bottom, and needs a prescription of Prozac or something much stronger. A miracle solution is not available, and Godot has not booked his seat yet. Perhaps a bit of therapy is in order? CRY BABIES Here are the top 30 complaints voiced by people, politicians, chambers of commerce, and the media: Electricity. Water. Garbage. Waste water. Traffic. Parking. Pollution. Corruption. Deficits. Debt. Challenging business conditions. Taxes. Fees. Inflation. Syrian refugees. Politics. Confessional politics. Politicians. This or that particular official. Nepotism. Weak legal system. Unemployment. Tourism from…

WASSIM DANIEL – GM, HAVAS WORLDWIDE Wassim Daniel has been appointed General Manager of Havas Worldwide. He has 17 years of experience in advertising, seven of which were in the Near East including Syria. Previously, Daniel was Chief Growth Officer for the MENA region and Turkey in Cheil, and before that Managing Director of FP7, an affiliation of Middle East Communication Network (MCN). “I will work to grow the agency quantitatively and qualitatively, coping with the digital and technological transformation that is happening globally.” Daniel will benefit from local talent to support the advertising market in the region. “We are spotting huge potential in emerging markets such as Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.” Daniel aims to have a physical presence in some regions, and will cover other areas remotely from Beirut.…

Local restaurant franchise concepts are rising at a fast pace, spreading both in the country and abroad. Those offering Lebanese specialties are the big winners. But some home-grown international cuisine concepts have also had their shares of success. Newcomers are setting up their franchise systems from scratch, along with rules and guidelines. Early successes abroad have prompted more investors from regional and international markets to represent local franchises. The win-win partnership formula has proven successful. MAGIC FORMULA Home-grown concept franchises have been successful abroad. Lebanese cuisine witnessed the largest development among these concepts. These franchises have generally overtaken the casual international cuisine diners opened by local companies. The reason is that competition is much more crowded in the international food segment. Pizzas and burgers are everywhere and could be offered…

SOCIAL SECURITY ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE Rafic Salameh In Arabic, 285 pages Published by Entire East (Saer Al Mashrek) LL20,000 The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is the spine of the country’s political, social, and economic stability. The civil war and poor policies turned the fund into an institution that is in desperate need of a major administrative and financial revamp. Rafic Salameh, member of the NSSF board and former head of its Technical Committee, has previously presented several reform projects, but none of them have seen the light of day. In this book of six chapters, he presents information that could help produce practical solutions for the NSSF crisis. SOCIAL PROTECTION The book explores social protection policies and programs that allow individuals and families to manage economic and…

It was named after the Carub Tree that grew abundantly on its hills and valleys. Iklim al Kharrub is the latest up-and-coming suburb, located in the Chouf caza, 20 kilometers south of Beirut. The region’s rural feel will likely disappear in a few years, when vacant lands are built up as apartment seekers move from nearby cities. “Population in our town grew by at least 30 percent in the past six years. It looks completely different than before,” said Nashaat Hamieh the mayor of Barja, located in Iklim. ACCESS AND AMENITIES Iklim al Kharrub lies in a triangle bordering Al Awali River that separates Mount Lebanon from the South governorate, the Damour River, and the southern coast. It has an area of 167 square kilometers, representing more than a third…

SOUND BYTES It is shameful what is going on at the airport President Michel Aoun The economic situation is very difficult but there is no problem with the lira Prime Minister Saad Hariri The economic situation cannot afford to wait for the proceeds from oil and gas Ghassan Hasbani, Deputy Prime Minister The battle is not one of generator meters, it is one for the prestige of the State Raed Khoury, Minister of Economy and Trade The problem is not the storms, but the way the State prepares for them Pierre BouAssi, Minister of Social Affairs It is like driving on a highway and missing the exits. Before it is too late, we must avoid hitting the dead-end Yassine Jaber, MP and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Rumors about…

Renting apartments and rooms through Airbnb has become an attractive business for individuals and investors. Airbnb is an online marketplace that connects travelers and tourists to those wishing to rent short and long term lodging, including vacation and apartment rentals, homestays, and hostels. People who have additional apartments, rooms, or even beds are increasingly listing their apartments on Airbnb’s platform, benefiting from its wide reach and ease of use. Increasing demand from travelers for affordable apartments has encouraged several entrepreneurs to enter the business and establish their own management companies. These companies are renting long term apartments and subletting through Airbnb’s platform. A NEW BUSINESS MODEL The number of properties listed on Airbnb in Beirut has grown fourfold in the last three years, from 300 to almost 1,200 listings this…

Demand for hybrid cars (vehicles that use both gasoline and batteries) will be a transitional phase as the market moves towards adopting Electrical Vehicles (EV). According to Georges Sleiman, BMW Sales Manager at Bassoul Heneine, plug-in hybrid and EVs will be main drivers for the auto-market in the coming years. T. Gargour et Fils sells the Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid GLC model. It installed the first electric charging station on its premises in Dora. Mercedes Benz will release two additional EVs, the EQA and EQC, in the coming two years. The IMPEX showroom will be showcasing the EV Chevrolet Bolt in 2019. Customers will adopt EVs gradually, according to Emile Mabro, CEO at Kettaneh Automobile. He anticipates an initial two percent annual adoption rate due to weak infrastructure. The first EV…

Achrafieh 456 Area Sassine St., 250 m from Sassine Square Architect Labsquare Developer Daniel and Nabil Homsi Contractor Kfoury Engineering & Contracting Delivery Oct. 2020 Apt. Sizes 220 m² Price/m² Starting at $3,000 Phone (03) 002.004 Mousseitbeh 2022 Area Sanayeh, behing Sanayeh Public Garden Architect I brahim Hout Office Developer Injaz International Contractor Injaz International Delivery Jan. 2022 Apt. Sizes 150 m² Price/m² Starting at $3,500 Phone (70) 999.994 (03) 733.383 Ain El Roummaneh 3521 Area Ain El Roummaneh, close to Mar Maroun Church Architect MH Architects: Michel Honein Developer Ain El Roummaneh 3521 Contractor Ain El Roummaneh 3521 Delivery Dec. 2019 Apt. Sizes 100 m² Price/m² Starting at $1,600 Phone (03) 641.980 Bauchrieh 3506 Area Bauchrieh, Hankash Street, close to Mardini Center Architect PM and P Sarl Developer PM…

Provided by BUSINESSNEWS.COM.lb by LEBANON OPPORTUNITES MÖVENPICK HOTEL SOLD TO LOCAL AND SAUDI INVESTORS Saudi-based Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), a publicly listed company directed by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, has sold 95 percent of the 5-star Mövenpick Hotel Beirut property in Raouche. The hotel has been sold for more than $125 million. The property was bought by two companies: Universal Pan and Pine. The companies’ shareholders are Lebanese and Saudi. Ali Dayekh is one of the shareholders. He had purchased the Four Seasons hotel earlier this year, also from Kingdom Holding for around $100-$115 million. The property will contain operating under the same management. Mövenpick Hotel includes 292 rooms and suites. L1118-01 MEDICAL INNOVATION FOR DIABETES BY BENTA Benta Pharma Industries (BPI), a local manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, has achieved promising…

Wineries are opening restaurants in order to showcase their wines and attract food lovers that might otherwise dine in the capital. Chateau Kefraya, which has had a restaurant in its Bekaa Valley vineyards for 15 years, offers several tour packages for amateur wine lovers as well as connoisseurs. Wine lovers that want in-depth knowledge can take a master class tour, which includes visits to the cellar. The effort has proven worthwhile. “The activity of the restaurant is improving annually,” said Edouard Kosremelli, General Manager of Chateau Kefraya. “With the wide services offered, the business is growing rapidly.” The restaurant seats 200 people, and sometimes that is not enough. “We are fully occupied in the summer, and on weekends we add additional seats to accommodate 400 people,” said Kosremelli. The restaurant…

Businesses such as facility management and cleaning companies, construction companies, and gas stations, rely heavily on foreign workers. Demand for unskilled foreign laborers has increased in the last five years. Data from the Ministry of Labor (MoL) shows that the number of work permits issued for the first time or renewed for this type of worker has increased 60 percent over this period, reaching 59,091 in 2017. The number of guest workers is closely related to the growth of the industries that employ them, as well as the limitations of the local work force, said Ziad Haddad, CEO of Assiyana, a company that provides facility management services. CATEGORIZED WORKFORCE The MoL classifies foreign workers into four categories, according to their type of work and monthly wages. Unskilled laborers – category…

Whispers, talk, and writings about a looming financial and economic collapse in the country are everywhere. These views have reached high, and often a conceited, pitch. There is concern about mounting pressures on the lira and the dramatic change in the interest rate structure on the lira and the dollar, as well as about the need for banks to resume their provision of subsidized banks to provide subsidized housing loans. All this tumult is unsurprising, but the excessive frenzy is unjustified. MONETARY STABILITY STILL THERE To start with, regarding the lira, let citizens be assured that nothing ominous is likely to happen in the foreseeable future. The Lebanese, both residents and non-resident, have actually become the sole holders of lira deposits. Foreign assets at the Central Bank (BDL) totaled $43.3…

Keep your retro style suit within easy reach this season. It is still a prime option, although a modern spirit can clearly be seen in this year’s autumn-winter suit collections. Designers are trying to meet the needs of all generations, offering suits of different cuts, fits, fabrics, and colors. Gray and blue are the most common suit colors along with the Prince of Wales pattern. SLIGHT DIFFERENCES Last year’s autumn-winter season was all about classical style. This year regular fit and the two-buttoned, single-breasted suit continues to dominate runway collections, while the slim cut suit is here to stay. “Choosing a suit fit is very personal. It depends on the man’s build,” said Amer Ejjeh, Owner at Jawdat Ejjeh and Sons clothing store. Fashion houses from high end designer Tom…

* Global site price…