Lebanon’s Finance Minister prepares for IMF visit, says reforms key to restoring international confidence

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber met with the International Monetary Fund’s representative in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, at his office on Thursday as part of preparations for the IMF delegation’s upcoming visit later in May. 

The meeting reviewed the steps the Ministry of Finance is taking on the path to fiscal reform, and the importance of laws passed by the government and parliament related to the regulation of the banking sector, as well as those expected to be approved in the near future.

According to a statement from the ministry’s media office, the meeting followed up on discussions held during last month’s Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington, which Jaber attended as head of Lebanon’s official delegation. 

The delegation also included Economy Minister Amer Bisat, Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid, and representatives from the Presidency and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Jaber expressed satisfaction with the government’s current course, saying, “All parties involved in the financial and monetary tracks are serious about implementing the required reforms to revive the economy and restore international confidence in Lebanon.” 

He described this as “a key step toward encouraging donor and lending institutions to help Lebanon build its capacities, whether in infrastructure or reconstruction.”

He added that this would also encourage many investors to inject capital into various sectors in Lebanon, noting that the meetings held with them in Washington were very promising in this regard.