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President of Lebanese Republic Takes a Stand on Electricity
March 9, 2018 – Voix Du Liban Radio Station, Beirut, Lebanon
The President of the Lebanese Republic developed a study quantifying the damages on the economy, due to electricity outages and losses. He stressed the Cabinet to adopt an urgent reform. Dr. Mardini reacted on Voix Du Liban morning news, confirming the importance of resolving electricity challenges through legalizing private generation and sales of power as opposed to further government spending. Any additional spending would be financed by taxes and/or debt, though Lebanon is unable to do either because of the huge deficit, debt, and sluggish growth.
Click Here to Listen to the Full Interview in Arabic |
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Power Sector in Lebanon, the Solution is in Our Hands
March 20, 2018 - Le Gray Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon
LIMS held a conference and invited Professor Pierre Garello, to discuss the problems of electricity in Lebanon and to bring an international perspective to the current political debate, for this event. Prof. Garello explained that in the 90s, a global shift toward more competition started in the sector. He gave the example of Georgia and showed how market-oriented reforms solved the problems of power outages and uncollected bills. The role of state should therefore be limited to creating an attractive and enabling environment for investors.
Media outlets, including newspapers, TV and radio stations, covered the conference, by writing about the event on their online news platforms.
An-Nahar Newspaper, Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), Lebanon Files, Lebanese Forces, National News Agency (NNA), National Broadcasting Network (NBN), Elnashra, Al-Mustaqbal, Tripoli Scope, Eliktisad, Akhbar Al Yawm, Lebanon 24, Shafaqna, Al Jidal, Arab Youm, 7aradh, Ad-Dawra, Al-Binaa and Nabad Beirut.
Click Here for the Conference Photos
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Power Generation Vessels Pushed Back… Once Again!
March 21, 2018 - LBCI TV Studio, Beirut, Lebanon
Once again, LIMS went to the front lines arguing against renting additional power generation vessels, just before the Lebanese Cabinet meeting. In an interview with leading political talk show Nharkom Said on LBCI, Dr. Mardini explained that 45% of Lebanon’s colossal debt is due to spending on electricity. The current fiscal deficit does not allow any further expenses. He argued instead for opening the sector to private companies and allowing competition. Towards the end of the interview, the reporter covering the Cabinet meeting announced that the voting on power ships was suspended.
Click Here to Watch the Full Interview in Arabic
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LIMS’ Senior Policy Analyst Reveals How Electricity Can Permanently Be Improved
March 19, 2018 – TeleLiban TV Studio, Beirut, Lebanon
Mr. Majdi Aref, LIMS’ senior policy analyst, was interviewed on the talk show Mashakel wa Houloul on Tele Liban. Mr. Aref explained the importance of competition in resolving electricity problems and alienating the sector from political tensions. He showed how government management of the sector leads to high losses and power outages, and retraced LIMS’ advocacy efforts over the past year. Mr. Aref announced the institute’s upcoming conference, hosting Prof Pierre Garello, an expert on competition policies in sectors suffering from network effects.
Click Here to Watch the Full Interview in Arabic
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Building Bridges for a Brighter Future
March 21, 2018 - PSP Headquarters, Beirut, Lebanon
During his visit to Lebanon, Prof Garello met two members of the political bureau of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), after the conference. The discussion was an attempt to understand the political tensions hindering real reforms in the electricity sector, and to explore ways to overcome obstacles. He explained how a market-oriented reform would allow the sector to generate revenues for the government, by renting out the state-owned power grid to private electricity companies, after the sector is legalized and opened to competition.
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Upcoming Events
1. Interview with Dr. Mardini on Al Hadath on Al Jadeed TV.
2. LIMS featured on MTV Lebanon's prime time news.
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