The International Monetary Fund announced that the Lebanese economy has shown relative resilience despite the ongoing conflicts in the region, thanks in part to the tourism sector, which has contributed to this recovery. However, the Fund believes that resuming growth requires the implementation of radical and wide-ranging reforms.
In a statement on Thursday, the Fund’s official spokeswoman, Julie Kozak, explained that dialogue is still ongoing between the Fund and the Lebanese authorities, which applied for a support program from the Fund in March 2025. This was embodied in sending a team of Fund experts to Beirut in early February.
Kozak added, according to Reuters, that the talks focused mainly on two vital issues, which are the necessity of restructuring the banking sector and developing a medium-term financial strategy.
She stated: “The economy showed resilience despite the impact of conflicts in the region, and witnessed a slight recovery thanks to tourism.” However, she pointed out, on the other hand, that “restoring strong and sustainable growth requires a comprehensive set of reforms to address the structural weaknesses that have hindered the performance of the Lebanese economy for many years.”
She stressed that these reforms are necessary to attract international support and to help Lebanon meet its enormous reconstruction needs.
Kozak also indicated that Lebanon needs an updated, medium-term financial framework that includes realistic measures to increase revenues allocated for much-needed capital spending, in addition to restructuring sovereign debt, with the aim of restoring the ability to manage debt obligations.
