AGP Executive Report

Investment: Qatar’s business association held talks with Lebanon’s economy minister in Doha on expanding economic and investment ties, while Türkiye signaled interest in hydrocarbon exploration and electricity trade with Lebanon. Agriculture: Conflict is disrupting harvests, with farmers gathering olives under drones and warplanes and Lebanon’s apple season turning bitter amid pressure on local producers. Regional Development: President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Tripoli highlighted efforts to turn northern Lebanon’s economic potential into opportunity.

Olive Harvest: Southern farmers are tending groves under drone and warplane activity, with access sometimes requiring permits coordinated through local authorities and the Lebanese Army. Energy: Türkiye says it is interested in hydrocarbon exploration off Lebanon and is exploring possible electricity trade, as it seeks overseas energy partnerships; no deal has been announced. Apple Farming: Lebanon’s estimated 200,000-ton apple crop far exceeds domestic demand, which absorbs only about a quarter to a third. Growers face high storage and transport costs and limited export capacity, leaving fruit at risk of spoiling. Trade: Qatar Chamber and Lebanon’s trade minister discussed activating the joint business council and expanding private-sector cooperation.

Agriculture: Lebanon’s bumper apple harvest is leaving growers with crates of fruit and few buyers. The Agriculture Ministry estimates output at nearly 200,000 tons, while the domestic market absorbs only a quarter to a third; costly storage, transport and limited export capacity are pushing farmers to consider processing the surplus. Energy: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon, while Beirut also reported progress in talks with Qatar on a power project. Trade and investment: Qatar Chamber held talks with Lebanese officials on expanding trade and investment cooperation. Consumer market: The Economy Ministry says it has conducted 19,400 consumer inspections since the start of the year, as high prices continue to strain households.

Food & Retail: Beirut’s $13 “Chic Taouk” sold 20,000 in 11 days, even as its price drew backlash in a country where many households are struggling; an economist said 22 restaurants closed last month. Energy: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon, while Beirut reports progress in talks with Qatar on a power project. Transport: Rising fuel costs are pushing Beirut commuters toward motorcycle taxis and driving up fares. Agriculture: Farmers warn that apple imports are threatening local produce. Business & Law: A London court has allowed Mozambique to pursue a claim against the widow of Lebanese tycoon Iskandar Safa over his alleged role in the $2 billion “tuna bonds” scandal involving shipbuilder Privinvest.

Food & Consumer Spending: A Beirut restaurant sold 20,000 of its $13 chicken sandwiches in 11 days, sparking debate over premium spending as households struggle to afford necessities; an economist said 22 restaurants closed last month. Southern Lebanon: Satellite analysis found 48 of about 60 villages and towns in the occupied south mostly leveled after the ceasefire, with homes, schools, mosques and roads destroyed—a major setback for residents and reconstruction. Energy: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says talks with Qatar on a power project are progressing. Tripoli’s Economy: President Joseph Aoun highlighted northern Lebanon’s potential as an opportunity for economic development.

Power Links: A UN study identifies technical hurdles affecting electricity interconnections with Lebanon, as Jordan works to expand regional power trade and renewable-energy integration. Food and Retail: Beirut’s $13 chicken sandwich has become a flashpoint over affordability, though its seller moved more than 20,000 in 11 days — a striking sign of the divide between struggling households and consumers still spending freely. Energy Investment: Qatar is planning two power plants and a 20-year gas deal for Lebanon, while QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are also advancing a proposed solar project. Agriculture: Lebanese farmers warn that apple imports threaten local produce, putting pressure on growers already facing a difficult market. Transport: Rising fuel costs are pushing Beirut commuters toward motorcycle taxis, with fares climbing alongside pump prices.

Trade and Infrastructure: President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Tripoli put the port at the centre of Lebanon’s economic recovery plans, with a push to modernize capacity, governance and digital systems and link it to the India–Middle East–Europe trade corridor. Power Projects: Lebanon’s prime minister reported progress in talks with Qatar on a power project, while Qatar and TotalEnergies are also set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon. The plans come as high energy costs continue to strain households and businesses. Business Climate: Fresh Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon adds to the uncertainty facing investment and operations across the country.

Power Projects: Lebanon’s prime minister reported progress in talks with Qatar on a power project. Separately, Qatar has proposed two 825-megawatt plants backed by a 20-year LNG deal, while QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies plan a solar plant in Lebanon. Food and Farming: Farmers warn that apple imports are threatening local produce, highlighting pressure on domestic agriculture. Transport Costs: Fuel prices have nearly doubled, pushing Beirut commuters toward cheaper motorcycle taxis and squeezing transport operators and household budgets. Consumer Affairs: Lebanon’s economy minister says 19,400 consumer inspections have been carried out since the start of the year.

Agriculture: Jordanian farmers are warning against Syrian and Lebanese apple imports while local stocks remain high, raising a risk to market access for Lebanese growers. Lebanon and Oman also signed an agreement to deepen agricultural cooperation. Energy: Lebanon’s prime minister says talks with Qatar on a power project are progressing; Qatar has proposed two 825-megawatt plants and a 20-year LNG supply deal. QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are also set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon. Consumer Affairs: Lebanon’s economy minister reported 19,400 consumer inspections since the start of the year, as households continue to face high energy costs.

Power and Energy: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says talks with Qatar have advanced on a proposed power project. Doha’s plan includes two 825-megawatt plants and a 20-year LNG supply deal, potentially routed through Syria. Renewables: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are also set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon. Consumer Protection: The Economy Ministry reports 19,400 consumer inspections since the start of the year. Agriculture and Food: Lebanon and Oman signed an agreement to boost agricultural cooperation, while Lebanon launched its first national assessment of nutrition and food environments in public schools. Reconstruction: A UN expert estimates Lebanon’s reconstruction needs at more than $11 billion and says displaced people must help shape rebuilding plans.

Consumer Protection: Lebanon’s economy minister says inspectors have conducted 19,400 checks this year and issued more than 1,000 reports. A proposed law would raise fines for price-gouging and monopolies; authorities have also inspected private generators 800 times and made 64 seizures. Energy: Rising fuel costs are squeezing household budgets and pushing up transport, heating and food expenses. Qatar has proposed two 825-megawatt power plants for Lebanon, backed by a 20-year LNG supply deal routed through Syria; QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are also set to develop a solar plant. Food and Agriculture: Lebanon’s first nationwide assessment of school food environments found widespread unhealthy options and poor dietary diversity, with 57% of students falling short of global dietary recommendations. Lebanon and Oman have signed an agreement to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and food security.

Power: QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are set to develop a solar plant in Lebanon, while Qatar has proposed two 825-megawatt power plants and a 20-year LNG supply deal to help ease the country’s electricity crisis. Agriculture: Lebanon and Oman signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in farming, fisheries and food security. Separately, the SEAL nonprofit raised nearly $800,000 for Lebanese farmers at its California gala. Manufacturing: Lebanese engineering entrepreneur Fadi Daou’s MultiLane keeps its main design and manufacturing center in his home village of Houmal, creating jobs for local engineers.

Power Investment: Qatar is advancing a plan for two 825-megawatt power plants in Lebanon, backed by a 20-year LNG supply deal that could deliver gas through Syria. The project is intended to ease chronic electricity shortages, though financing and implementation details remain unclear. Agriculture: Lebanon and Oman signed a cooperation agreement covering agriculture, fisheries and food security, opening a path for closer sector ties as Lebanese farming faces mounting challenges.

Power Sector: Qatar’s proposal for Lebanon includes two power plants within three years, a 20-year LNG supply deal and investment in renewables and battery storage, aiming to ease chronic outages and attract financing without upfront state spending. Agriculture: Lebanon and Qatar discussed cooperation on agriculture and food security, while Lebanon and Oman signed an agreement covering agriculture, fisheries and food security. Reconstruction: Arab housing officials discussed support for Lebanon’s reconstruction and sustainable development, alongside housing and construction initiatives across the region.

Power: Qatar is proposing two 825-megawatt plants and a 20-year LNG supply deal to help ease Lebanon’s electricity crisis. The plan could provide a major boost to power generation, though key terms and implementation remain to be settled. Agriculture: Lebanon and Oman signed a cooperation agreement covering agriculture, fisheries and food security. The move comes as conflict damage has affected an estimated 22% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon, adding to pressure on farmers. Food and Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon is set to return in November for its 30th edition, bringing the country’s food-service and hospitality industries together.

Power Sector: Qatar’s proposed $2.5 billion-plus energy programme for Lebanon includes two 825-MW gas plants, a 20-year LNG supply deal, renewables and battery storage. The plan still needs government approval, with financing and guarantees to be negotiated. Agriculture: Lebanon and Oman signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and food security, as reports say damage in southern Lebanon has affected 22% of agricultural land. Food and Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon returns in November for its 30th edition, bringing the country’s food-service and hospitality sectors together. Consumer Costs: Lebanon’s annual inflation reached 16.66% in August, squeezing household budgets and pushing shoppers toward cheaper essentials.