Ever since Christopher Columbus touched the Spanish royal family for some venture capital and discovered the new world, history has been littered with the achievements of those who were both bold enough to fight for their ideas and those who had enough faith to back them. In Lebanon, this entrepreneurial drive has been solely developed and driven by the private sector, one that accepts that it does not operate in the most favorable business environment but still succeeds in combining a flair that is underpinned with shrewd business savvy. GS, Rectangle Jaune, Roadster, Casper and Gambini’s, and Zaatar W Zeit are but a few examples of Lebanese business spirit that has won over an Arab world still obsessed with importing ideas. But where is the government support? Is it in the $20/m2 in license fees to set up a factory? Is it in the red tape and extra payments required
