Lebanon remains the gateway and re-export center to the Middle East. Beirut remains the region's commerce and services capital.

The real estate and hospitality industries are some of the economic sectors that offer foreign investors exceptional business development and sales opportunities.

As Middle East capitals witness the rise of new luxury hotels, shopping centers, and office and residential buildings, demand is at an all-time high for construction equipment, technology, and services as well as for associated technologies such as environmental, water and stone technology. The construction boom has fueled demand for all types of furniture and interiors. This boom has also boosted the hospitality industry and multiplied its need for importing the latest foods, beverages and hotel and restaurant supplies.

The region's travel and tourism market is prospering as well. Home to high-income travelers who stay longer and spend more than other vacationers, the Middle East has become the world's fastest growing tourist market. Coupled with the tourism boom, the region's boating and yachting industry is witnessing exceptional growth. Much of Middle East spending goes to luxury items as well, such as jewellery and watches, comprising a sector with a very convenient customs duty.

The region's communications, agricultural and medical sectors are also witnessing rapid development and expansion. For the full range of telecommunications systems and services, the Middle East is a dynamic high growth market. Internet use and e-commerce are spreading rapidly, especially since Middle East countries view the adoption of state-of-the-art communications systems as vital to their modernization. Banks, hotels, and schools are all updating their equipment. Another key priority for regional governments is agriculture. The need to expand water resources and delivery systems to agricultural lands is creating high demand for complete agricultural irrigation systems, water networks, valves and controls, purification equipment and associated consulting services. With medical facilities expansion also underway, the latest technology in the medical sector is needed as are healthcare and hospital equipment and the full range of specialised medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, and dentistry and eye care solutions.

Moreover, the recently held 'Paris II' donor conference has been declared a huge success as the Lebanese government secured $4,3 billion in aid from the international community to improve the nation's economy and institute development projects across the country. Meanwhile, some $1,3 billion is being allocated for the development projects in rural areas, including those for agricultural, industrial and construction-related projects designed to stimulate growth and self-sufficiency.

Lebanon Facts

Flag:
Three horizontal bands: Red/White/Red. The central white band, twice the width of the red band, has a green cedar in the middle.

Geography:
Falls on the Eastern Mediterranean, between 33 and 34.40 degree latitude north; 35 and 36.40 longitude east.

Area:
10,452 square kilometers. Maritime front on the Mediterranean of 210 km. Highest summit is Qornet El Saouda (The Cedars) 3083 metres.

Climate:
The climate in the coastal area of Lebanon is typically Mediterranean. Its summer is hot and humid; its winter is cold and the snow usually falls at elevations above 1000m.Rainfall between 700 & 1200 mm a year, over a period of four months. There are on average 300 days of sunshine a year. Summer time: 1st of April till end of September.

Local Time:
Lebanese time is GMT + 2 Hours in winter and + 3 hours in summer. Summer time goes into effect the last Sunday of March and ends the last Sunday in September at 12 midnight.

Population:
3,500,000 inhabitants (estimated). Urban population 80 percent.

Weights/Measures: Metric system

Political System: A Parliamentary Democracy.
The President of the Republic is elected for a non-renewable six-year mandate.
The Parliament consists of 128 members, elected by the people for four years.
The Executive power is exercisied by a Council of Ministers (the Government) headed by the Prime Minister (President of the Council of Ministers).

Structure of National Product:
Agriculture 10 percent
Industry and Construction 20 percent
Trade and Services 70 percent

Spoken Languages:
Arabic, French and English.

Currency:
Movement of currency in and out of the country and all exchange transactions are completely free of any kind of control. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank or at one of the numerous money exchange shops. The monetary unit is the Lebanese Lira (LL), and the average exchange rate is 1US$ = 1500 LL.

Credit Cards:
Visitors will find that many credit cards are accepted in larger establishments: Eurocard Master Card, American express, Diner's Club, Blue Card Visa, Cashless card, Link, Investment Credit Card.

Structure:
Lebanon is divided into 6 Mohafazats (Governonates)”
1. Beirut
2. Mount Lebanon – county town Baabda
3. Mount Lebanon – county town Tripoli
4. Mount Lebanon – county town Saida
5. Beqaa - county town Zahleh
6. Nabatieh - county town Nabatieh
The Mohafazats are subdivided into Cazas. The people of each city or village elect a Municipal Council and a Mayor by a direct voting system.

Official Holidays:
New year (1 January)
St. Maron (9 February)
Good Friday (Occidental & Oriental Churches)
Easter Monday (Occidental & Oriental Churches)
Labour Day (1 May)
Martyrs Day (6 May)
Assumption (15 August)
All Saints Day (1 November)
Independence Day (22 November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

Islamic holidays are calculated according to the Hegira Calendar:
Birth of the prophet (Al Mawled)
Al Fitr (3 days)
Al Adha (3 days)
Islamic New Year (1 day)
Ashoura (1 day)

Working Hours:
Offices 8:00 am 5:00 PM
Government & Post Offices 8:00 am 2:00 PM
Banks Weekdays 8:00 am 5:00 PM
Saturdays 8:00 am 12:00 PM
Shops 9:00 am 7:00 PM
Central 7:30 am 11:00 PM

Transportation:
Automobile rental companies provide self-driven cars or cars with a chauffeur. Lebanese taxis are comfortable and reasonably priced. However, to avoid disagreements, it is best to agree on the price before setting off. Even cheaper is the 'service-taxi' which allows one to share the cost of a trip with other passengers. Bus service is also available to certain destinations.

Eating out:
We can say that the Gourmet can satisfy his taste of various dishes in Lebanon. Tourists who wish to have their national dish are able to do so in one of the various French, Spanish, German, English, Austrian, Italian, Chinese or American restaurants in Lebanon. The Lebanese cuisine is an original one. Each meal is a feast and is known by its famous "Mezze". Here is the Lebanese list, which you might order in a Lebanese restaurant: Tabbouleh, Hommos, Fool medammes, Labneh, Kebbeh… Lebanon has three great wines: Ksara, Chateau Musar and Kefraya. They can compete with the most famous international wines of the world. When you visit Lebanon, don't forget to have as an aperitif or all along your mealtime the national drink, the Arak.

Tourist Police:
In the event of any difficulty or problem, visitors may contact the Tourist Police at the following telephone numbers: (01) 350901, (01) 343504, (01) 343286