Home DECEMBER 2012

DECEMBER 2012

by reeda

DECEMBER 2012

 

EDITORIAL





COMMENT



High stakes on the border
Despite domestic risk, Hezbollah at play in Syria






The Islamic divide
Fault lines between Lebanon’s largest sects deepening






The dollar’s the boss
Lebanese banks still beholden to the US Treasury






Entering subsistence
Syria’s formal economy nearly spent






No longer quiet
Piecemeal reforms and police state keep lid on growing unrest






No end to injustice
Israel’s systematic dehumanization of a people continues






One pharaoh for another
Morsi seems more Mubarak by the day






Adapting to democracy
Tunisian government struggling with competing interests and public unrest






Yemen: A country of halves
In the balance between breakthrough or breakdown






A bitter pill to swallow
Medical shortages lead to first Iranian sanctions death




ECONOMICS & POLICY



A cold, harsh year
State indecision left Lebanese to fend for themselves in 2012






Offshore ineptitude
Lebanon slips further behind rivals in oil and gas exploration






Q&A: Nicolas Nahas
Minister of Economy and Trade defends his record






Powering the grid
Lebanon’s electricity sector between regulation and decentralization






Remarks from the top
Memorable quips from Lebanon’s economic elite




BANKING & FINANCE



Banks vie for the deposit pie
Competition growing as inflows slow






The uncomfortable gaze of Uncle Sam
US pressure compounds a tough year for Lebanese banks






Private versus public exposure
Finding a new balance in a battered economy






Interest rates on the rise
Declining deposit growth could make for borrowers’ blues






MENA stock tips 2013
Regional investment aficionados put the chaos into context






Words from the vault
Top banks executives talk over the counter




REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT



Building regardless
Lebanese property developers ignore worrying signs






Q&A: Makram Zard
General manager of Zardman






The creme of 'concretization'
Hear what developers have to say about forecasts and fundamentals




TOURISM & HOSPITALITY



Off the flight path
Industry flops as tourists reroute summer vacations






Singing the blues
Voices from the heartbreak hotel




RETAIL



Year of the bargain
All but the richest shoppers head down-market






Nicholas Chammas assesses 2012
Lebanese Traders Association






Shop talk
What Lebanon's retailer's predict for 2013




ENTREPRENEURSHIP



Emerging talents
Slowly but surely Lebanon’s start-up scene matures






Q&A – Saad Andary
Vice-governor of Banque du Liban talks entrepreneurship






Finding a fair price
Conflicts in valuation hinder investment in entrepreneurs




INDUSTRY & MANUFACTURING



Fall of the factories
Standstill of 2011 became full-scale retreat in 2012






Made in Lebanon
Words from the country’s top industrialists




AUTOMOTIVE



Downsizing on the dollar
Lighter wallets steer Lebanese toward little cars in 2012






Motor Mouths
Drivers of the auto industry weigh in




INSURANCE



So many options, so little growth
MENA insurance industry still struggling






Walid Genadry
HEAD OF INSURANCE CONTROL COMMISSION






Premium insight
Lebanon's top insurers share their thoughts




LAST WORD



Endangered prospects
Formation of new Petroleum Administration bodes ill for the future