KEY FACT FIGURES

  

• The Media Industry accounted for nearly 4.75% of Lebanese GDP in 2013 and generated an added value of around 55.3%
• The Media Sector comprises more than 450 companies and employ around 4.5% of the Lebanese labor force
• Lebanon heads the advertising community in the Levant with a total spending of USD 463 million. It also has the highest contribution of creative industries to the national GDP in the MENA
• The Media Industry spans across several fields: Television Broadcasting, Advertising, Production & Post Production, Digital Media, Publishing and Music

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

 

Lebanon is a source of talent to the entire Arab region that is both highly skilled and cost competitive:

•  Every year, some 600 students are estimated to graduate with a degree in audiovisual arts. Specialized universities and faculties ensure these students are fit to meet the market requirements
• Seven Lebanese universities offer courses in film production or audiovisual arts
• Workers are not only highly skilled with average wages usually 50%-60% lower than in GCC countries.
• Access to a large Middle Eastern market: Total household media consumption in the Middle East is considerably higher than in most developed markets, including the US, Japan, and European countries, with an average annual growth rate of 22.9%
• The market continues to be highly promising with a youthful population ensuring a continued rise in demand;  52 % of the population in the Arab world is aged 25 and less
• According to the Arab Media Outlook report, advertisement spending is expected to grow by 5.9% till 2015 owing to the economic recovery of the Arab world and the growth of digital advertising.  Online advertising is expected to reach USD 1 Billion in 2017.  The Arab online addressees is one of the fastest growing sectors with a growth rate of 2500% per annum. 
• Liberal media sector: The country has the most liberal media sector in the Middle East, with minimal to no restrictions on broadcasting and publishing activities. In the MENA region, Lebanon has one of the highest Freedom of Expression Ranking.
• Diverse geography: Lebanon's diverse geographic scene is considered very adequate for filming and production, facilitated with the presence of 250 days of sunlight, offering weather conditions and geographic areas adequate for shooting, and with diverse locations
• Adequate legal framework: The Lebanese government has persistently spearheaded efforts to modernize media laws while playing an active role in enforcing intellectual property rights and regulations

 

ZOOM IN ON THE FILM INDUSTRY

 

 

The event was under the patronage and presence of the Minister of Information and Minister of Culture whereby they foresaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between IDAL, represented by Chairman Nabil Itani and Fondation Liban Cinema, represented by its President Mrs. Maya de Freige. The conference included three panels of discussion covering investment opportunities, challenges, support and new sector trends.

Subsequently, IDAL will support various activities related to the promotion of the film industry in Lebanon, part of which is the Lebanese pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival which took place in May.

 

 

We were present in Cannes  from 13-25 May along with the Fondation Liban Cinema and the Office du Tourisme, to promote for Lebanon's film industry and to network among the industry's key players.

  

OBJECTIVES OF PARTICIPATION

1. To create awareness of Lebanon as a media hub for the region
2. To increase interest in Lebanon as a destination for film production
3. To promote for Lebanese films
4. To support companies wishing to establish their business projects in Lebanon
5. To provide for existing Lebanese filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their brilliant work to an international

IDAL, apart from the networking opportunities and B to B meetings, took part in a roundtable discussion on the new drive of Lebanese cinema:

 

Roundtable: Produced in Lebanon : The new drive of the Lebanese cinema In 2015, several feature films and documentaries have been shot, including movies by Daniele Arbid, Georges Hashem, Assad Fouladkar, Maryanne Zehil, Vatche Boulghourjian...

Academics and professionals commented on the evolution of this production and presented new initiatives to stimulate the sector across the financing, production, distribution and promotion fields. They also presented the main cinematographic manifestations during this year in Lebanon.

A reception followed in the presence of Ely Dagher, a young filmmaker, whose short animation "Waves 98" has been selected for the official competition and won the Palm D'Or.

 

The event also included film screenings:

 

Screening of "Rough-Cuts", a selection of excerpts from movies in postproduction and distribution

- The road, by Rana Salem

- The other side of November, by Maryanne Zehil

- Nour, by Khalil Zaarour

- Heatwave, by Joyce Nashawati

 

Screening of « Film ktir kbeer»

  

CATERING TO MEXICAN INVESTMENTS

 

IDAL participated in the "Mobilizing Diaspora for Global Integration in Investment and Knowledge Transfer" conference, organized by the World Bank Group, in cooperation with the" Mediterranean Integration Center" on May 29, 2015 in Marseille - France. IDAL`s Chairman Eng. Nabil Itani declared that IDAL is striving to set up a local strategy to attract DDI, and boost the economic link between Lebanese residents and expatriates

 

For the third consecutive year, the AIM delivered the Investment Award, which recognizes the accomplishment of the countries or regions in attracting sizable and beneficial investment projects and thus contributing to the economic growth and development of their markets. Lebanon has won through the investment project of Arwan Pharmaceuticals, a project of over USD 17 million, that benefited from IDAL's support and incentive schemes.
The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) is an initiative from the UAE Ministry of Economy. It is the region's first emerging markets FDI/focused event to offer a perfect blend of trade fair and intellectual features aimed at enriching institutional, corporate and individual investors attending with a comprehensive view of the investment environment in high growth regions.
IDAL is always exerting constant effort to improve the economy and indirectly enhance the standard of living of the people in Lebanon.