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Entrepreneurship

- Nascent entrepreneurship activity in Lebanon is high compared to that of other countries in the Middle-East.
- Since the civil war there have been efforts by the government to aid small and medium sized businesses and individuals wanting to start up businesses.
- Financing for micro-entrepreneurs (or the economically active poor) has been a key area of concern. Providing this group with financial stability has been a major focus of the government. There are also initiatives being taken to increase the institutional capacity of private commercial banks to deliver microfinance projects in the Middle-East.
- There are a greater percentage of men who are opening up business. However, there are a large number of women who are involved in entrepreneurial activity. Women in Lebanon tend to start businesses that revolve more around the selling consumer and domestic goods and are less involved in start-up of services companies.
- The Lebanon Integrated SME is planned to be launched in 2004. It will cater to the needs of small to medium sized enterprises through the assistance of business development centers.
- There have been several laws implemented and supported by the government to attract more FDI into Lebanon. Some of this legislation relates to intellectual property, anti-dumping, and laws on competition.
- Legal forms of business in Lebanon include partnerships, co-partnerships, partnership in commendam, joint stock, holding company, offshore company.
- Bankruptcy legislation in Lebanon does not encourage risk-taking.
- Settling commercial disputes in Lebanon can take from 3 months to maximum of 5 years.
- Sources for finance for enterprises in Lebanon include financing from shareholders for smaller firms, loans from commercial banking system, investment banks, commercial financial institutions, loans subsidized by the Central Bank, micro-loans from NGO’s, etc.
- Access to venture capital, financial angels, or investment banks is extremely rare/
- Financial institutions are more reluctant to provide funding at start-up and survival stages. Lack of credit and equity culture.
- Providing suitable guarantee for the loan and collateral issue raises credit costs in Lebanon. Long-term loans are not always available.
- Requirement of collateral can range from 200% or 300% of the amount of the loan.
- Venture capital is practiced strictly on a private level. Venture capital tends to target specific industries such as hotel, restaurants, and real estate.

Lebanon Entrepreneurship Articles

Investment Development Authority of Lebanon
Investment Projects in Lebanon
U.S. Commercial Service Lebanon: Find Lebanese Importers
U.S. Commercial Service Lebanon: Investment Opportunities in Lebanon
Visa Requirements for Lebanon

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Quick Facts:
Population: 4,017,095
GDP: $44.05 Billion ('08)
GDP Growth Rate: 7% ('08)
GDP per Capita: $11,100
Government: Republic