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Updating Lebanon’s Electricity Plan for Maximum Efficiency
April 5, 2019 –VDL Radio Station, Beirut, Lebanon
In an interview with VDL, Dr. Mardini was asked about the failure of the current distribution service providers (DSPs) to improve the service. He explained that the DSPs’ contract does not provide enough incentive, since the losses due to uncollected bills and an outdated network are born by government. He recommended changing the contract to electric distribution companies (EDCs), which would buy electricity production as a wholesale price and sell it in the retail market. DSPs would then have the incentive to collect bills and fix the network, or else, they will be losing their own money. This system would also allow the independent power producers (IPPs) that will be entering the electricity market soon, to sell their production directly to the private distributors without going through the state-owned and operated EDL.
Click Here to listen to the Interview in Arabic
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Engaging Private Sector Would Cut Government’s Deficit
April 30, 2019 – MTV News, Beirut, Lebanon
In a bid to reform government finance, the government of Lebanon proposed postponing the investment in some infrastructure projects, mainly roads and water dams. In an interview on prime-time news, Dr. Mardini argued that placing these costs on private companies would allow the projects to happen, while relieving government from the costs associated with them. Toll roads would allow private companies to invest in new roads and fix existing ones. The same applies to water, as water companies could build dams at their own expense without requiring taxpayers’ money.
Click Here to watch the Interview in Arabic
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7 Deadly Mistakes in the 2019 Budget draft
April 28, 2019- An-Nahar Newspaper, Beirut, Lebanon
Dr. Mardini identified 7 flaws in the 2019 budget draft currently being discussed by the cabinet. (1) Increasing taxes and fees while Lebanon is on the wrong side of the Laffer Curve, (2) monetizing debt, which would lead to devaluation and inflation, (3) maintaining over-employment in the public sector, (4) maintaining government finances for infrastructure projects, while most of it can be privatized, (5) perpetuating subsidies, (6) sustaining the current underfunded social security and retirement system and (7) tampering accounts. He stated that by doing so, Lebanon is following Greece’s footsteps towards a sever default coupled with a massive recession.
Click Here to Read the Article in Arabic
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Promoting Transparency in Government Budget
April 15-16, 2019- Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon
In a 2-day workshop, 7 non-governmental organizations gathered to shed light on the importance of transparency and accountability in the process of developing the government’s budget. LIMS’ Policy Analyst Mrs. Eliane Badawy, stressed the importance of convincing government to decrease spending instead of increasing taxes in the upcoming 2019 budget. She also explained how the lack of details in the budget does not reflect the transparency of the government and may mislead public opinion.
Click Here to View Photos
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LIMS Leaders' Academy #LLA2019
- LLA101: Connect to Prosperity
Registration Closed
- LLA201: Economic Foundations of a Free & Prosperous Lebanon
June 15 - 16, 2019 - Workshop in Beirut
- LLA301: Shaping Public Policy
July 20 - 21, 2019 - Workshop in Beirut
- LLA401: Policy Fair
Date TBA - Event
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