Industrial Exports and Imports of Equipment & Machinery Through July 2009
The Ministry of Industry conveyed a 13.37% annual contraction in Lebanon’s industrial exports to $1,516 million through July 2009, down from $1,750 million a year earlier.
Number of Tourists Through August 2009
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists arriving to Lebanon rose markedly by 45.07% to 1,284,945 tourists through August 2009, up from 885,729 in the same period in 2008.
The Lebanese Banking Sector in July 2009
In the banking sector, the consolidated balance sheet of commercial banks in Lebanon unveils a 1.70% monthly expansion in total banking sector assets to LBP 158,867 billion ($105.38 billion) through July 2009.
Lebanese Central Bank Governor Expects Increase in Lending
According to As-Safir newspaper, the Lebanese Central Bank governor Mr. Riad Salameh recently expected lending activity to expand by around 14% during the last quarter of the year.
Bahrain’s Inflation Rate in August 2009
According to government official data, Bahrain’s inflation rate eased to 1.67% in August 2009 in comparison with 2.9% in July, posting its lowest pace since two years.
Consumer Price Index in August 2009
The U.S. Labor Department conveyed a 0.4% monthly increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index “CPI” in August 2009 on the back of soaring gasoline prices.
