A luncheon was organized by the Lebanese Economic Forum in honor of Dr. Riad Salameh on Wednesday January 25, 2017 at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut..

A luncheon was organized by the Lebanese Economic Forum in honor of Dr. Riad Salameh on Wednesday January 25, 2017 at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut
“We have recorded a balance of payments surplus of $1.3 billion in 2016 and this is considered an achievement because we live in a region with deficit in their balance of payments. All of these countries have either resorted to the International Monetary Fund for assistance, or were compelled to increase the interest rates and put a ceiling for foreign currency transactions,” the governor said

“BDL’s foreign currency reserves are [at an] all-time high. This was done through the financial engineering by BDL in May onward. This will allow us to broaden our lending. It is also worth noting that this correction was accomplished without the need to increase the interest rates on the pound or the dollar,” Salameh added.
He said interest rates in Lebanon are considerably lower than some neighboring countries. “In Lebanon, we have the lowest interest rates in the region, without comparing them to the European countries. We are talking about neighboring states. Other countries such as the Gulf countries are raising interest rates. It is certain that this will create competition on financing and transfers.”