AGP Executive Report

Energy: Qatar and Lebanon are advancing a plan to rebuild the electricity sector, with Doha expected to fund, develop and operate the project without upfront cost to the treasury. The proposal also includes power links with Syria and Iraq. Agriculture: Lebanon and Oman signed an MoU to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and food security, including sharing technical expertise. Trade: A Vietnam-Lebanon business forum brought together more than 50 Lebanese companies to explore market access and investment opportunities. Economic Outlook: The IMF is set to accelerate talks with Lebanon as regional support grows. Construction and Design: Beirut hosted the Project Lebanon construction fair alongside Interiors Lebanon, showcasing a sector rebuilding amid repeated crises.

Energy: Lebanon and Qatar are advancing a major electricity-sector overhaul, with Qatar expected to finance, build and operate projects under a build-operate-transfer model, avoiding upfront costs for the Lebanese treasury. Plans include upgrading generation and grid infrastructure, with regional power links also discussed. Economic Outlook: The IMF says talks with Lebanese authorities have made significant progress toward a support programme, though more work remains. Lebanon’s reliance on imports leaves it exposed to energy and shipping disruptions. Agriculture: Israeli attacks have damaged an estimated 22% of southern Lebanon’s agricultural land, adding pressure on producers and rural livelihoods. Construction and Design: Beirut’s Interiors Lebanon and Project Lebanon fairs brought the design and construction sectors together, while the city’s architects continue to draw on its history in new work. Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon is set to return in November for its 30th edition.

Energy: Lebanon and Qatar are advancing a major electricity-sector overhaul under a build-operate-transfer model, with Qatar financing the project and no upfront cost to the Lebanese treasury. Plans include power generation, grid upgrades and gas supply; local reports say capacity could rise from 300 megawatts initially to 2,000 megawatts within two years and 3,000 within three. Economic Outlook: The IMF says talks with Lebanon on a support program have made significant progress, though work remains. It has cut its Middle East and North Africa growth forecast by two percentage points amid war-related shocks. Agriculture: Israeli actions have damaged 22% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon, threatening production and rural livelihoods. Food & Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon is set to return in November for its 30th edition, bringing the food-service and hospitality sectors together.

Energy: Qatar and Lebanon agreed to develop a comprehensive plan to modernize electricity generation and grid infrastructure. Qatar would finance and operate the project without upfront state spending; QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies are also planning a solar plant as an initial project. Aviation: A UN review found Beirut airport lacks valid certification and identified safety-system shortcomings, potentially delaying plans to restore direct US flights. Agriculture: Israeli actions have damaged 22% of southern Lebanon’s agricultural land, while Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports with discounted shipping rates. Trade: Pakistan and Lebanon discussed business delegations and trade opportunities in pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice, cement and construction materials. Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon is set to return in November for its 30th edition, bringing the sector together for a major industry event.

Energy: Qatar says it will fund and implement a major solar plant in Lebanon with QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies, at no cost to the state. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam plans to present electricity-sector proposals to Cabinet. Agriculture: Israeli actions have damaged 22% of southern Lebanon’s agricultural land, threatening farms and livelihoods. Separately, Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports with discounted shipping rates. Food and Hospitality: HORECA Lebanon returns November 10–13 for its 30th edition, with more than 400 exhibitors and 24,000 professional buyers expected. Investment: GIPA is seeking Lebanese investors for food processing and agriculture projects in Ghana.

Agriculture: President Joseph Aoun urged Washington to press Israel to stop attacks on southern Lebanese villages and ensure farmers can safely reach their land. Olive groves in the south have also come under fire, threatening harvests and local livelihoods. Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports, with discounted shipping rates to help move the crop. Food Investment: Ghana’s GIPA is courting Lebanese investors for food processing and agriculture. Energy: Energy Minister Joseph Saddi is among the speakers at ADIPEC 2026, where energy security and infrastructure investment are major themes. Power Costs: A report examines Lebanon’s multibillion-dollar diesel-generator industry and its links to corruption, highlighting the economic burden of unreliable electricity.

Agriculture: Israeli fire in South Lebanon is disrupting olive harvests, threatening growers’ livelihoods and deepening the loss of village ties to the land. Energy: Private diesel generators supply about half of Lebanon’s electricity, while state utility EDL provides just 31%, according to figures being compiled for a new report. Heavy reliance on imported diesel raises costs for households and businesses and sustains a poorly regulated industry accused of benefiting powerful interests. Food Exports: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports, with discounted shipping rates intended to help growers reach overseas markets.

Food Processing Investment: Ghana’s investment agency is courting Lebanese businesses to invest in food processing and agriculture, opening a potential route for local firms to expand abroad. Agricultural Exports: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports, with discounted shipping rates intended to help move the harvest to international markets. Aviation: The US has lifted air travel restrictions affecting Lebanon, a step that could ease travel and business links.

Investment: Ghana is courting Lebanese investors in food processing, agriculture, tourism and pharmaceuticals. Its investment authority says it will help firms navigate regulations, while Lebanon’s ambassador highlighted opportunities to establish factories and expand trade. Household and Business Costs: Lebanon’s fragile recovery is under pressure as food inflation averages 20% and about 1.24 million people face crisis-level food insecurity. Employers and unions warn worsening hardship could trigger unrest and further disrupt public services. Agricultural Exports: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tons of apple exports, with discounted shipping rates intended to help growers reach overseas markets.

Investment and Jobs: UNDP’s new investment and employment initiatives include Lebanon among five pilot countries, with work aimed at improving investment conditions, preparing projects and supporting job creation. Food and Agriculture: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports, using discounted shipping rates to help move produce to international markets. Air Travel: The US has lifted its decades-old ban on direct flights to Lebanon, a step welcomed by Beirut that could ease future travel links. Renewable Energy: Lebanon’s energy minister signed amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while a separate proposal would offer three-year solar loans under the 2027 budget.

Investment Links: Ghana’s investment authority is courting Lebanese businesses, promising support with regulations and operational hurdles as it seeks to deepen bilateral investment ties. Energy and Transport: Lebanon’s prime minister has outlined plans for cheaper power and more than 250 new buses; the energy minister has also signed amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while a proposed three-year solar-loan program could widen access to rooftop systems. Agriculture and Exports: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tonnes of apple exports, using discounted shipping rates to help growers reach overseas markets. Air Connectivity: Beirut welcomed the US decision to lift restrictions on direct flights to Lebanon, a boost for travel links and related services.

Agriculture and Exports: Lebanon is targeting 100,000 tons of apple exports, using discounted shipping rates to help growers reach overseas markets. Energy: The government is advancing two solar projects through amended power-purchase agreements, while plans for three-year solar loans could widen access to rooftop power. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has also outlined measures for cheaper electricity, more than 250 new buses and tougher tax collection. Manufacturing and Craft: Beit Chabab’s Naffah family continues a 300-year tradition of bell-making; its workshop is Lebanon’s last church-bell foundry and supplies buyers across the Middle East and Lebanese communities abroad. Transport: The US has lifted decades-old restrictions on direct flights to Lebanon, potentially easing air links for travelers and businesses.

Manufacturing: Beit Chabab’s Naffah family remains Lebanon’s only church-bell maker, keeping a 300-year craft alive and supplying churches across the Middle East and diaspora. Agriculture: Southern Lebanon’s olive growers face a long road to restore their groves. Energy: The energy minister has amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while a three-year solar-loan plan is proposed under the 2027 budget. Transport and services: Lebanon welcomed the US move to lift its decades-old restriction on direct flights; Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has also outlined plans for cheaper electricity and more than 250 new buses.

Agriculture: Farmers in southern Lebanon face a difficult olive harvest, with about 53% of farmland in the south and Nabatieh inaccessible at times because of security conditions. The Agriculture Ministry is working with UNIFIL and others to help farmers reach their groves. Renewable Energy: Lebanon’s energy minister has signed amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while the government is planning three-year solar loans under its 2027 budget. Infrastructure and Services: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has outlined plans for cheaper electricity and more than 250 new buses, alongside tougher tax collection. The U.S. has also lifted its decades-old ban on direct flights to Lebanon, a potential boost for air links.

Aviation: The US has lifted its 41-year ban on direct flights to Lebanon, opening the way for American carriers to consider Beirut routes. Flights are not set to resume immediately, and security concerns remain. Renewable Energy: Lebanon’s energy minister signed amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while the government is planning three-year solar loans under its 2027 budget. Power and Transport: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has outlined plans for cheaper electricity and more than 250 new buses, alongside tougher tax collection. Fuel Costs: Lebanon recorded a 73.6% rise in diesel prices between February and August, the second-steepest increase among countries assessed by UNCTAD, adding pressure on businesses and households.

Fuel Costs: Lebanon recorded the world’s second-steepest diesel price rise, up 73.6% from February to August, as disruption to energy shipments drove a global shock, UNCTAD reported. Air Links: The US lifted decades-old restrictions on direct flights to Lebanon, clearing a legal path for airlines to restore commercial routes and potentially support trade. Power: Energy Minister Joe Saddi signed amended power-purchase agreements for two solar projects, while Lebanon’s planned three-year solar-loan scheme could widen access. But Saddi is boycotting cabinet sessions over electricity arrears and reforms. Trade: Beirut and Tripoli ports have joined a wider regional trade network through the IMEC Ports Club.