|
|
The belief in Lebanon by foreign investors has never faltered despite regional and national uncertainties due to Lebanon's resilient economy and investment policies.
Withstanding foreign direct investments, the country has witnessed the establishment of branches or representative offices by over 40 foreign companies, 57% of which are from European origins.
On another note, we are keen on supporting Lebanese companies into accessing new markets and expanding their businesses. It is with this aim that we have provided, for the second year now, Lebanese companies in the ICT sector in particular with the opportunity to take part in global bids.
I hope you will find this newsletter useful. For feedback, do not hesitate to contact us.
Best Wishes,
Nabil Itani
Chairman-General Manager
|
|
 |
FOREIGN COMPANIES IN LEBANON IN 2014
Amidst the overall regional and national uncertainties, foreign investors maintained their faith in Lebanon's potential as an investment destination, as reflected in the number of foreign companies opening branches or representative offices in the past year.
42 foreign companies started operations or made announcements to start operations in Lebanon in 2014. What was worth noting is the gradual shift in the profile of investors from mostly Arab investors to European, accounting for 57% of the foreign companies. The three main European countries are the UK with 12%, and France and Germany each representing 10% of total foreign companies respectively; they also happen to be Lebanon's main trade partners. Arab investors on the other hand saw their share of foreign companies in Lebanon decline to reach 21% from total investors, with the UAE remaining the leader with 17% of total foreign companies, followed by Syria and Oman, each with 2.5% of the total number of foreign projects during the same period.
DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGN COMPANIES IN LEBANON BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (%share|2014)
Source: Ministry of Economy and Trade, Financial Times In terms of distribution by sector, 50% of this year's foreign investments were made in the Services and Trade/Retail sectors, each with 26% and 24% total projects respectively. A net surge in projects related to energy was noticed, with 10% of total businesses investing in power production and construction-related projects, a trend we would expect in the coming years with the oil and gas exploration . Every year, the construction & real estate sector, being one of the most resilient industries in the country, maintain a substantial share of the foreign investment market, with 17% of total businesses in 2014. DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGN COMPANIES IN LEBANON BY SECTOR OF ACTIVITY (%share|2014) 
Source: Ministry of Economy and Trade, Financial Times MAJOR FOREIGN INVESTMENTS TO NOTE IN 2014 - Investment in the Media Sector by the international news outlet Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), ABC will open a new bureau in Beirut to increase its broadcast coverage of the Middle East. Lebanon is increasingly being used by news agency to cover the region
- Another investment in the Media sector including the opening by a UK company of a production and post-production company specialized in programs for kids
- Investment by the German company mk Grouo holding, specialized in Electronics components for the Energy sector. The firm will open an office in Beirut to sell energy supply systems to the Middle East, using Lebanon as a hub
- Investbank, the United Arab Emirates-based retail banking firm, has opened a new branch in Lebanon to serve the local market, adding another foreign firm in the Financial Services sector.
- Another investment in the Financial Services sector include the opening of an office by the Hungarian Central Bank
- Verizon Communications, a US based firm, announced an investment in the Telecommunications and IT sectors. It has expanded its private IP multiprotocol private label switching (MPLS) infrastructure into Lebanon. The expansion is part of a wider growth strategy which has seen the firm's MPLS capabilities also expanded into Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Iraq, Bangladesh, Yemen, Madagascar, Mauritius and Tunisia.
|
EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS APPLY TO GLOBAL BIDS
Take advantage of a database of global competitive tenders and bids in the ICT sector to expand your business and access new markets. This service has been introduced by IDAL in 2014 and has been recently improved following an assessment survey in order to meet your needs and expectations. The bids are updated bi-monthly and include tenders from KSA, Oman, U.A.E and others.
IDAL aims, through this service, to encourage internationally competitive Lebanese companies to take on new business projects by pitching to new clients.
To take advantage of this service please visit our webpage.
|
ACTIVITIES
 FORGING PARTNERSHIPS WITH EGYPT
We have met with the Lebanese-Egyptian Friendship Association on the margins of the preparations to launch the 13th edition of the Lebanese-Egyptian Business Forum on the 13th of February 2015.
The meeting has shed some light on ways to enhance the business relations between both countries in an effort to improve upon the region's economic climate. Egyptian investors have historically been interested in the following economic sectors; real estate, construction and infrastructure, financial services and others.  A VISIT TO ADVANCED PLASTIC INDUSTRIES
We have visited the factories of Advanced Plastic Industries S.A.L. (API) following the approval to benefit from IDAL's incentives and business support services in light of their expansion project of over $20 million. Mr. Nabil Itani, Chairman of IDAL, re-affirmed his pride in this innovative project that is able to compete and expand globally due to its high-quality production . He added during the visit that the government, through IDAL, has a duty towards supporting these industries for the success of the industrial sector as a whole.
|
|
|
|
|
