Shouf-Jezzine geo-park to be launched this year. Project part of the Heland program of the European Commission

The first geo-park in the country will be announced before the end of 2015, said Kamal Bou Assi, Project Manager of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve.

The geo-park is a unified area with geological heritage of international significance. Geoparks inform about the sustainable use and need for natural resources, whether they are mined, quarried or harnessed from the surrounding environment while at the same time promoting respect for the environment and the integrity of the landscape.


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Bisri Dam funding deadline extended. This exceptional measure is also Lebanon’s last chance for this funding

The World Bank has extended Lebanon's deadline for parliamentary approval of a $474 million loan for the construction of Bisri Dam to December 31.

World Bank Middle East Director, Ferid Belhaj, said that he received a request for the extension from Finance Minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, a few days before the original deadline of July 20 had expired.

"This would be the first and last extension granted to Lebanon," said Belhaj. The loan needs to be ratified by Parliament, which has...

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Ending extreme poverty requires $100 million. Public social safety nets are limited and account for 1.04 percent of the GDP

Government spending on social safety nets accounted for only 1.04 percent of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in 2013, according to the World Bank report, Social Safety Nets 2015, published this month.

Safety nets typically cover social assistance through private money transfers to households, healthcare insurance, and labor market programs such as pension schemes.
"If this share of Government spending on social safety nets were higher, the country could limit extreme poverty", said H...

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Tourism spending is still growing. Kesrouan becoming a main shopping hub

The tourism expenditure in the first half of 2015 grew by seven percent, compared to the same period last year, according to Global Blue's report, issued last Saturday.

The "Insights into Tourist Spending" report stated that Saudis are behind 29 percent of tourist spending. They are followed by Emiratis, who represent 16 percent, and Kuwaitis who stand for 14 percent.

While Beirut is still the main shopping destination, representing 83 percent of spending distribution, Jbeil and Jo...

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