Economics and Policy Shoring up the Lebanese industrial sector is key for restoring economic stability, said officials who celebrated the “Lebanese Industry Day” on Monday. More from The Daily Star Lebanon’s public debt swelled by nearly $5 billion during the term of former premier Najib Mikati’s Cabinet, the secretary-general of the Association of Banks in Lebanon said. More from The Daily Star The United Arab Emirates has revived a proposal to merge its two main stock exchanges in a state-backed deal that could boost trade in the local market and attract more foreign investment to the Gulf state. More from Reuters Iran’s newly elected president, Hassan Rouhani, has pledged to follow a “path of moderation” and promised greater openness over the country’s nuclear programme. More from Associated Press Companies and Business Banque Libano-Francaise recorded a net profit of $38.6 million in the first quarter of 2013, up from $8.8 million
