On the brighter side, I read in an article yesterday that, "If peace holds, Standard Chartered Bank forecasts 7 percent GDP growth in Lebanon next year," Monica Malik, an economist with Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai said.
One of the main reasons for such an optimistic assessment is that, "the Gulf harbors a financial interest in a quick Lebanese comeback. Companies in Kuwait and the U.A.E. have invested nearly $2 billion in real estate projects," and are projected to spearhead the investment comeback when international investors return to the country.
Most of the aid that has poured into Lebanon will be set to cover most of the direct damage. "Much of the emergency aid will be used to clear unexploded Israeli bombs, shelter the homeless and restore social services."
Another conference will be held this year for long-term reconstruction aid. I look forward to that conference when perhaps then the government will have a more solid reconstruction plan that will start Lebanon anew on the path to full sovereignty.
The most critical condition for all this to take place is of course holding the peace. It's a conflict inside me always: if we want to concentrate on the economy, then stability is important, but politically stability might mean maintaining a status quo that does not resolve standing, "explosive" issues in our country. That's where I hope that we can attain both a quick economic boost and a lasting resolution to those explosive issues.
"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."
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4 comments:
What is needed is a long-term economic plan that can re-inforce the country's drive at longterm stability. The central emphasis of the government's reconstruction efforts should be the imposing of state's (and its insitutions') monopoly over the administering of utilities and municipal services (electricity, water, medical care, housing,etc...).
Other aspects of a plan should be the proccurement of these services to under-developed areas throughout the country, again through the state's insitutions.
The idea is to discourage movements that seek to circumvent national institutions and to force the government (and the people) to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Lebanese state in all its forms over all its territories.
Good post Doha.
lebanon has anamazing expat community.. full of sophisticated well educated worldly people.. lebanon needs you now.. whether you go there.. donate.. influence.. volunteer.. lead.. whatever.. dont waste this opportunity tomake your homeland the paradise it deserves to be..
lirun
telaviv
www.emspeace.blogspot.com
i think the expats should lead such a campaign.. not by street demonstrations necessarily but by using their excellent connections and influential epat networks to drive voices louders through the NGOs and international institutions
www.emspeace.blogspot.com
Why should they be free of IMF obligations? If they take loans, make foolish political decisions (let HB get lot's of power, etc.), they should not get a free ride.
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