Activity On The Beirut Stock Exchange In 2008
According to the Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) monthly bulletin, traded value soared by 72.10% y-o-y to $1,710 million in 2008.
Moody’s Outlook on Lebanon
Moody’s Investors Service, the international rating agency, affirmed in its latest rating update dated December 29, 2008 its sovereign “government bond” rating of “B3” for the Republic of Lebanon, with “positive” outlook.
Lebanon’s Public Debt To Attain $50 Billion In 2009
According to the Lebanese press, the Lebanese Finance Minister recently announced that Lebanon’s gross public debt attained $47 billion in 2008 and projected the figure to reach $50 billion by the end of 2009.
Saudi Inflation At 9.5% In November
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia’s inflation slowed to 9.5% in November 2008 in comparison with 10.35% in September.
Job Losses Attain 524,000 In December 2008
The U.S. Labor Department conveyed that job losses attained 524,000 in December 2008, pulling the curtain on the worst year in terms of job losses since World War Two.
