Lebanon lags behind much of the world when it comes to a favorable business environment, ranking 111th out of 189 economies in the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) 2014 ‘Doing Business’ report. Political deadlock and a worsening security situation are the most recent drags on the economy, but these only exacerbate a more pressing problem, which is the lack of a far-reaching governmental vision for its business environment. The public sector has taken some initiatives to remedy the situation. Internet speed is slightly faster than it was several years ago, the government-led initiative Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) is working to secure foreign investments and improve regulations, and the Ministry of Telecommunications has joined with the private sector to set up the Beirut Digital District, a business hub in Bachoura. But this is still far from an all-encompassing strategy. Lebanon has yet to come up with a larger plan to
