UNDP RELEASES ARAB KNOWLEDGE REPORT 2009
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) published on October 28, 2009 its first issue of the Arab Knowledge Report titled “Arab Knowledge Report 2009 – Towards Productive Intercommunication of Knowledge” in which it screens the “state of knowledge” in the Arab World.
IMF REPORT ON THE MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (METAC)
According to the IMF’s “Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC)” report dated September 2009, which provides a snapshot on METAC’s technical assistance to the Middle East region during the year 2009, technical assistance to Lebanon, measured in terms of person weeks, reached 30.8 in comparison with 315.29 for the entire Middle East region.
BALANCE OF TRADE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2009
Lebanon’s Higher Customs Council reported a $335 million annual expansion in Lebanon’s balance of trade deficit to $9,536 million as at the end of the third quarter of 2009.
BUDGET DEFICIT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2009
Lebanon’s fiscal deficit (budgetary & treasury) expanded to $2.22 billion in the first nine months of 2009 from $2.01 billion in the same period last year.
EGYPT’S BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE PERIOD 2009/2010
According to Egyptian Government sources, Egypt’s budget deficit is projected to widen to 9% to 10% of GDP in the 2009/2010 up from 6.9% in the current year owing to the government’s stimulus plan.
NEW HOME SALES IN SEPTEMBER 2009
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported a 3.6% drop in new home sales in September 2009 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 402,000 units.
