Home JULY 2012

JULY 2012

by reeda

JULY 2012

 

EDITORIAL





COMMENT



Syria’s arms economy
Price dip in Lebanon indicates increased supply next door






Getting Beirut’s green back
Access to the Horsh reflects the clash between fear and progress






The formula to fill football seats
Fair offers and a good atmosphere open up the most paranoid of pockets






A dwindling number of options
Western sanctions corral Damascus toward Moscow




ECONOMICS & POLICY







How prices have hit the moon
Inflation is hitting the Lebanese hard






Beirut’s secret garden
NGO efforts may yet unlock gates to the capital’s hidden green space






Q&A – Walid Daouk
Progress impeded by political protectionism




BANKING & FINANCE







Iraqi intrigue in Lebanon
Bank, TV station openings tied to a man once funded by the CIA






The expert opinion MENA stock tips
The expert opinion MENA stock tips






Ratings removed from reality
Credit rating agencies cannot account for Lebanon’s unique economics






Financial quotes of the month
From the mouths of the world's movers and shakers




REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT





SPECIAL REPORT: REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT



Bumpy road to reality
Luxury real estate flounders as real incomes fall






Rent a mob
Landlords find their voice as parliament moots an end to the old tenancy law






The thrill is gone
Wild love between banks and real estate cools






The million dollar home
EXECUTIVE takes you shopping for the best home loans in Lebanon






Culture Vultures
The struggle for Lebanon’s dwindling heritage sites






High-rising prices
Wage hikes and slowing demand raise the pressure for developers -






Q&A – Solidere’s Mounir Douaidy
Solidere’s general manager explains the company’s strategy






View from the penthouse
Luminaries of Lebanon’s real estate sector share their thoughts




SPECIAL REPORT: LEBANESE ARMED FORCES



The LAF – In Need of a Target
Lack of National Defense Strategy leaves Lebanon’s military adrift






The LAF – Militarized Welfare
While wages are lean, generous benefits bring reward






The LAF budget – closed ranks
Chinks of transparency begin to show in opaque budgets




CONSUMER SOCIETY



The dangers of dining out
Lack of proper accreditation leaves restaurant-goers wary of what’s on their fork






An expensive looking tan…
Resorts are charging more for a spot by the sea






Staying on top
Beirut maintains its rank as art capital of the Arab World






Elite exhibition
Saleeby’s collection and Lebanon’s first fine arts museum






Like your grandmother used to cook
Atmosphere and old favorites on offer at Enab






A step short of democracy
Lack of political maturity inhibits Egypt from getting off the ground




COMPANIES & STRATEGIES



The oil importers’ albatross
Wardieh’s GM explains how industry is not to blame for high prices






Schooled in success
A class on expansion, revenue growth and more affordable tuition






Sun rising on renewables
Solarleb’s power production heats up




BUSINESS ESSENTIALS





LAST WORD



Ghassan Tueni
January 5, 1926 — June 8, 2012