FREEDOM HOUSE REPORT CONSIDERS LEBANON AS A “PARTLY FREE” COUNTRY

Freedom House published “Freedom in the World 2012: The Arab Uprisings and Their Global Repercussions” report in which it disclosed that Lebanon, which is considered as a “partly free” country, suffered a decline in its “civil liberties” rating from 3 in the year 2010 to “4” in the year 2011.

CUSTOMS COLLECTIONS IN EXCESS OF $3 BILLION IN 2011

Figures released by the Lebanese Customs unveil an 11.66% annual contraction in customs collections to around $3.03 billion in the full year 2011 down from $3.43 billion in 2010.

BUDGET DEFICIT UP TO NOVEMBER 2011

On the public finance front, Lebanon’s fiscal deficit (budget & treasury) fell to $1.95 billion during the eleven-month period ending November 2011, down from $2.86 billion up to November 2010.

BALANCE OF TRADE IN 2011

On the current account side of the balance of payment, Lebanon’s balance of trade deficit widened by $2.18 billion during the year 2011 to end the year at $15.89 billion.

PUBLIC DEBT BREAKDOWN THROUGH NOVEMBER 2011

The share of Lebanese banks of local currency denominated debt continues to outweigh other lending sources, with a share of 51.4% compared to 15.7% for the non-banking sector and around 33% for the Central Bank.