Economic Plan
Socio-Economic Plan 2009-2013
Reposition Lebanon as a Regional Leader by 2020
Up until the time of the assassination of the former Prime Minister Mr. Rafic Hariri, Lebanon enjoyed relatively robust economic activity, which allowed for the replenishment of reserves, an increase in GDP growth rates, an upsurge in the liquidity of the financial sector, and through swaps and Paris II soft loans, a reversal of the debt dynamics for the first time since the mid 1970s.
March 14, 2005 is characterized as the beginning of the Lebanese Cedar Revolution, but it has become a turning point – to the worse – both at the economic and security levels. Political assassinations, explosions, road closures turned violent and disruptive, protests, and even short-lived wars, drew economic activity to a standstill yielding for a couple years close to zero percent economic growth. The belief in the resilience of the Lebanese economy was vindicated with unexpected growth in relatively less turbulent periods but this belief has been shaken at times and vulnerabilities exposed.
Over the past few years, Lebanon has been hit extremely hard by external and internal shocks the country played no role in instigating. After historic record-breaking international summits – Paris II and Paris III – which Lebanon was not permitted to capitalize on, the country and its economy were held hostage to a political gridlock – a proxy to a regional stalemate - that culminated in violent incidents driving away any potential investor to alternative markets. The May 7 Attack on Beirut came almost a year after the Naher al Bared month-long war with exported terrorism and two years following the 33-day destructive war of 2006 that killed and injured thousands of innocent Lebanese and inflicted material losses estimated in the billions of dollars and spurred the largest exodus of skilled and young Lebanese since the 1975 War.
So far in 2009, Lebanon has not only been the victim of violent outbursts but the economy is now facing a Global Economic Crisis during a period of national paralysis that is expected to last until the election season is over and a new government is formed.
The economic challenge is large but it is surmountable assuming a well constructed plan is implemented and political commitment is present. The National Bloc believes that its Socio-Economic Plan will help carry Lebanon from its current stagnant situation hampered by years of political deadlock fueled by violent blackmails to a vibrant reenergized economy, once again a regional leader by 2020. The National Bloc does not claim ownership of every measure or idea it presents in the Plan, as some have been debated by previous governments, albeit without being implemented. The Bloc does however build on ad hoc measures, propose new concrete measures, and integrate them into a comprehensive plan derived from a Strategic Vision the party lays out for the country.
However, economic development should not await the finalization and full implementation of a comprehensive plan. Short and medium term measures such as eliminating waste, fighting corruption, or implementing already approved projects, can make an immediate and significant change for the better and set up an enabling framework to roll-out an integrated socio-economic plan for Lebanon.
Again, and as underscored in previous plans presented by the National Bloc, for this or any other plan to succeed a number of prerequisites must be adopted a priori. Firstly, the government, which must have full sovereignty over all its territories, should be committed to economic reform, institution building, and transparency. A government must be allowed to govern whereby the majority rules and the minority stands in the opposition with the watchful eye of an efficient and independent judiciary. Political reform, starting with a modern election law intended to limit confessionalism and clientelisme is a passage to a more secular and democratic society built on the principle of checks and balances. Moreover, any post-election government should be bulging with credible and competent decision-makers and be given free reign to reform, restructure, and rebuild the economic and legal infrastructure of the country.
The four pillar objectives of the Socio-Economic Plan are:
1. Spur and sustain economic growth;
2. Promote balanced development and ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth;
3. Modernize the economy;
4. Work for a green and inclusive national economy that empowers and protects all segments of the population.
Accordingly, fourteen (14) national priorities, forty-two (42) policy target, and two hundred and six (206) select measures, are identified as the vehicle to achieve the set goals and help place Lebanon on a sustainable growth path and reposition it as a regional leader by 2020.
The National Bloc Party is encouraged to observe, for the first time in Lebanese history, political entities seeking public support based on an economic and political platform where in 2005 the National Bloc was the only party nation-wide to present in a full-fledged socio-economic plan as part of its election platform. Much like 2005, the National Bloc is ready to debate its Socio-Economic Plan and engage interested parties to work together and identify a common vision and the best course to improve the welfare of the Lebanese.
To Have the Full Version of the Economic Plan Version 2009, Click here
To Have the Full Version of the Economic Plan Version 2005, Click here