Economics & Policy

There is no question that healthcare is booming despite the financial crisis — not only in the Middle East and other emerging markets, but also in many parts of the …

Hotels are reaping the benefits as Beirut becomes more attractive to tourists. According to the global accounting firm Deloitte’s most recent report on hotel performance in the Middle East, in …

  On October 8 the International Monetary Fund issued the final report of its annual consultation with Lebanon. The report sounds out the resilient position of Lebanon throughout the global …

Fueled by demographic growth, urbanization and economic development, the cities of the Gulf Cooperation Council are growing at a rapid rate that is outpacing their current transport infrastructure and services. …

The banking world was rocked in early 2000 when the Basel II Capital Accord came out with its first draft. This accord emanated from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), …

Those who predicted that the towering, luxury residential developments in the BCD and its immediate environs would become a sad testament to unbridled optimism and crushed potential had better think …

We have spoken at great length, and on several occasions, in these pages about the Gulf capital markets and equities in particular. Twice, in the last quarter of 2005, we …

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) warned that, as a consequence of the recent conflict, Lebanon’s 2006 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could shrink by some 10%, taking the national debt of …

Perhaps the most crucial elements of any capital market, especially an emerging market, are confidence and liquidity. During the devastating days of the conflict between Hizbullah and Israel, both took …

The July war had many similarities to the outbreak of the 1975 hostilities – most notably in how it began, with a political party dragging the nation into conflict – …