A report by Bank Audi, based on World Bank figures, revealed Lebanon's real GDP growth in 2018 by 0.2 percent, affecting the slowdown in economic activity linked to the tightening of liquidity on a policy basis.
The number of tourist arrivals increased by 5.8% in 2018, almost half of the 2017 rate, while real estate indicators showed a contraction in this sector. Cement deliveries declined by 5.3% year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2018.
Despite the improved trade balance in commodities, the net foreign assets (NFA) grew by US $4,823 million in 2018, compared with a loss of US $156 million in 2017.
Structurally, the economy continues to rely heavily on real estate, retail and financial services, and is moving towards the region, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in growth and large macroeconomic imbalances, according to the World Bank indicators.
Source: (Economic Bulletin website, Edited)
