Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i Lebanon Opportunities

E-COMMERCE PLATFORM GETS $4 MILLION Ecomz, the e-commerce management platform, said recently that it has increased its capital by $4 million to scaleup, expand globally, and enhance the platform with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities. The new equity funding came from Beirut-based venture capital firm Cedar Mundi Ventures, the Kafalat-managed iSME Programme, and BLC Bank. “We may launch other rounds to raise more funds two or three years from now because this line of business always needs expansion,” said Amer Tabbara, Co-Founder of Ecomz and its Chief Sales Officer. He said that they had invested nearly $3 million to develop the platform over the last ten years. Ecomz (ecomz.com) is an endto-end ecommerce management platform that operates in 55 countries. It provides e-commerce store builder capabilities and built-in…

Links: Click this article’s entry in Table of Contents’ on our website In 2018, Lebanon recorded the largest number of digital investment deals per capita and per GDP among the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, according to a recent report by ArabNet. ArabNet is involved in research, news, and the organization of events and conferences in the fields of tech business and innovation in the MENA region. The report, titled ‘The State of Digital Investments in MENA 2013-2018’, showed that 40 digital start-up investment deals were concluded last year in Lebanon, the same number recorded in Egypt, the most populous Arab country. VALUE VERSUS NUMBERS The number of investment deals in digital startups concluded in Lebanon in 2018 dropped 29 percent to 40 deals compared…

Links: Click this article’s entry in Table of Contents’ on our website Companies managing luxury brands are adopting diversified strategies to attract upper-income clientele. They invest a lot of funds and apply different marketing strategies to expand their portfolio and reach their targeted audience. Representatives of luxury brands are keen to build a trusted relationship and grow their network among the affluent. They collect data regarding the behavior of their clients and what drives them in order to offer them customized offers. They also pamper their clients, providing them with, for example, the chance to travel and visit where their goods are made. Sometimes senior managers contact them directly to offer hot deals. UNIQUENESS IS KEY For bespoke jewelry and watches, customization and personalization is key. Bespoke brands work on…

Prices include VAT ASTON MARTIN Vantage Coupé 4.0 L eight-cylinder, twin-turbo, 505 HP 8-speed automatic transmission, RWD $295,000 BENTLEY New Continental GTC Convertible 6.0 L twelve-cylinder, twin-turbo, 626 HP 8-speed dual clutch transmission, AWD $405,000 CHEVROLET Corvette C7 Grand Sport 3LT “Carbon 65 Edition” 6.2 L eight-cylinder, direct injection, 460 HP 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, RWD $149,850 Prices here are to be viewed as an indication. They often vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, special offers and exchange rates. Check with the vehicle agent for the actual price. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information, it does not constitute a guarantee that the vehicles are available, or sold for, at these prices. FERRARI F8 Tributo 3.9 L eight-cylinder, twin-turbo, 710 HP 7-speed…

Links: Click this article’s entry in ‘Table of Contents’ on our website Outlets on Uruguay Street, in Beirut Central District, have reopened. The nightlife destination, which has been almost entirely closed since 2016, has reopened for business. Nine pubs and bars have opened on the street and performance is expected to boom for the rest of the summer season. NIGHTLIFE HUB District Developers, chaired by Hassan Dergham, has obtained investment rights from Solidere to renovate and operate the street outlets for seven years. The Uruguay Street concept was first developed by Venture Group, a hospitality management company co-founded by Rabih Saba and Marwan Ayoub. At its peak, the street featured 30 pubs and restaurants. So far, nine pubs and bars have opened on the street, and more are to come.…

POWER PRODUCERS BIDDERS TO APPLY FOR CLASSIFICATION The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) has called upon companies seeking to participate in large scale conventional power projects as independent power producers (IPPs) to apply for classification as lead developers or consortium members. A lead developer is defined as a firm that will hold the largest share in a special purpose company founded for the implementation of the project and that will act as the managing member in the new company. A consortium member is defined as a firm with an ownership share of less than 50 percent. The MoEW said that this will be the first step to allow companies to participate in the tender process for the projects and that it will release requests for proposals in the near…

Links: Click this article’s entry in Table of Contents’ on our website The banks’ interest in high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) is growing and they are offering them credit and debit cards more tailored to their desires and needs. HNWIs are more demanding and their lifestyle is more expensive than regular customers. Global payment card companies like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express provide a wide range of generous and luxurious perks tailored to the particular lifestyle of this market segment. “The ultra-high net-worth (UHNW) segment is growing and is representing an incredible opportunity in the region and particularly in Lebanon. Based on our research, these cardholders require a dedicated and bespoke approach to the value proposition compared to other retail segments,” said Mario Makary, Country Manager for Lebanon and Iraq at Visa.…

Mina El Hosn is evolving as a dining destination. Food and Beverage (F&B) investors are recognizing that the area has strong potential. They are committing to large investments in new restaurant venues. They are achieving outstanding results, and this is encouraging other brands to join the fray. A DESTINATION FOR EATING OUT Mina El Hosn has attracted more than ten premium dining restaurants in the last three years, including both Lebanese and European cuisines and is situated on Rafic Salloum Street and Mir Majid Arslan Street. Boubess Group, the company behind several F&B concepts, has paved the way for several chains to tap into the area. It has opened two outlets under the brands Cucina and Métropole in Mina El Hosn. Other restaurant chains have also spotted large potential in…

Links: Click this article�s entry in Table of Contents� on our website Sport jackets make a perfect companion for any situation that might require a little touch of formality, but that does not require a full suit. This summer, fashion houses are offering a huge range of stylish sports jackets for men to choose from. The summer spirit can be clearly seen in the bright colors and the breathable fabrics of this versatile garment. IT’S NOT A BLAZER Sports jackets and blazers are not the same thing, although they can look very similar. Neither is sold with a matching pair of trousers, according to Shadi Ghazal, Sales Executive at Emporio Armani. Every blazer is a sports jacket, but not every sports jacket is a blazer. The use and history of…

STÉPHANE ATTALI PASSES AWAY ESA General Director Stéphane Attali, who was in his post since 2009, has passed away. Attali was also the President of MEREF, the French chamber of commerce in Lebanon. Under his tenure, ESA has succeeded in a large number of endeavors. It obtained a number of international accreditations, started new programs such as entrepreneurship, Islamic finance studies, art, management and others. The campus also expanded with the creation of several new facilities. Attali started his career in a consultancy firm in Paris. He joined the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris in 1999. He was appointed at ESA Business School where he was in charge of educational development. He also created an entrepreneurship program at ESA. Attali holds a diploma from Université Paris-Dauphine and another…

■ DEPOSITS LIKELY TO RECOVER AFTER THE BUDGET WAS PASSED ■ THE GOVERNMENT FACES A CHALLENGING DEFICIT TARGET ■ DOLLAR PEG NEEDED FOR INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Links: Click this article’s entry in Table of Contents’ on our website Parliament has passed the 2019 austerity budget. The approval of the budget is likely to boost investor confidence and trigger a recovery in bank deposits. The budget included a number of amendments, such as imposing a three percent customs duty on imports subject to valued added tax (VAT). International financial institutions have urged the government to implement the required reforms and execute cost saving measures in the budget. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) expect the real deficit-to-GDP ratio for 2019 to be higher than the 7.6…

Links: Click this article’s entry in Table of Contents’ on our website Automakers continue to invest in their sports car segments. They are competing to offer attractive designs and advanced technical elements by releasing new models or redesigning existing models to satisfy demand among their customers. Powerful engines, luxurious designs, enhanced safety measures and the latest technology are common features among sports cars this year. NEWCOMERS The number of sports cars on the market has expanded this season. New coupés and convertibles have arrived in the showrooms. The new Bentley Continental GTC convertible is available this season at the brand’s dealer Saad and Trad. The coupé version of the car is available for sale as well, according to Imad Ghorra, Brand Manager for Bentley and Lamborghini. The car has been…

MATERIAL BLOCKS (PER THOUSAND) 6 cm $320-$340 10 cm $330-$350 15 cm $480-$525 20 cm $640-$700 25 cm with styrofoam 6cm $800-$875 CEMENT (PER TON) Portland cement $102 White cement $201 Premixed plaster (SODAMCO Weber or equivalent for internal use) $115 READY MIXED CONCRETE (PER M³) In OPC cement in Beirut: • 250kg/cm² comp strength $75 • 350kg/cm² $85 Extra for pump (per visit) $100 STEEL (PER TON) Steel reinforcing deformed bars -all sizes-fy = 420 Mpa $665 Steel reinforcing mild steel bars -all sizes-fy = 280 Mpa $675 Structural steel sections ST-37 $1,420-$1,470 ALUMINUM (PER M²) Regular facade w/glass 10 cm $150-$250 Balcony rails 60-100 cm height $50-$80 WOOD (PER M³) Swedish $400-$520 Mahogany $1,250-$1,300 Claire (Douglas Fir Clear) $1,100-$1,300 Beech $600-$800 Oak (American) $1,250-$1,500 Oak (French) $1,900-$2,150 WOOD…

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