Minister of Economy in “جلسة مع الكتلة”: 2025 is Lebanon’s Best Economic Year Since 2011, and the Country Has Entered a Path of Real Reform
As part of the “جلسة مع الكتلة” series, the National Bloc hosted Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bisat, at its main headquarters in Gemmayze, in a discussion moderated by economic journalist Khaled Abou Chakra. The talk addressed Lebanon’s key economic challenges, the program with the International Monetary Fund, the necessary reforms, and the government’s plan for recovery and public debt management.
The session opened with remarks from the Secretary-General of the National Bloc, Michel Helou, who stressed that while “Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government is among the best Lebanon has had in years, for its genuine efforts to rebuild the state, the reform train is still not moving fast enough.” He affirmed that “neither foreign aid nor domestic wealth will be of any use unless the state is rebuilt on the foundations of good governance and transparency.”
Bisat, for his part, stated that “Lebanon’s economy remains in a difficult position, and state institutions suffer from structural weaknesses that require bold decisions.” He noted that “the country is at a turning point that compels it to move beyond previous taboos, as it has become possible to address key issues such as lifting banking secrecy, restructuring the banking sector, ensuring judicial independence, and adopting necessary austerity measures.” Bisat affirmed that “2025 stands as Lebanon’s best economic year since 2011, marking the beginning of a genuine reform trajectory.”
He emphasized “the importance of achieving sustainable economic growth based on production, exports, and investment, not on consumption and debt as in the past,” warning that “unhealthy growth” poses the greatest risk if reforms are not fully implemented.
The minister also highlighted that “enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector and reforming its relationship with the public sector are essential conditions for stimulating growth,” adding that “this relationship remains unbalanced and requires a true partnership.”
Bisat further called for “a political and security shift to ensure the stability necessary for economic recovery,” stressing that “there can be no economic stability without a political solution and without addressing the issue of weapons.”
He clarified that “the government is working on reforming the banking sector and restructuring public debt in line with the state’s capacities,” reaffirming that “there will be no write-off of depositors’ funds,” and that “Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has firmly rejected the idea of writing off deposits.”
Regarding negotiations with the IMF, Bisat asserted that “Lebanon will not accept any agreement that does not serve its economic and national interests,” explaining that “the purpose of the dialogue with the Fund is to benefit from its technical expertise and to restore international confidence through a credible framework that allows Lebanon to re-engage with partner countries and institutions.”
The session concluded with an open discussion between the minister and attendees, focusing on ways to achieve economic recovery and rebuild trust in institutions, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and thoughtful exchange.