Hariri Calls for Strengthening Economy, Says Govt. Not Mulling High Taxes

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday called on everyone to “benefit from the current accord in the country, especially in terms of supporting and strengthening the economy.”

“Efforts are underway and will continue to approve the state budget as soon as possible. As for the new wage scale, it should not be a problem but rather a solution, and it is being studied in Cabinet with all due calmness, openness and positivity,” Hariri told a delegation

from the Beirut Traders Association.

As for the issue of hiking taxes, Hariri stressed that “nothing is final until the moment.”

“The issue is being studied from all aspects in Cabinet and we must decide whether or not we want Lebanon to be a tax haven,” the premier added.

He however underlined that “the economic situation cannot withstand high new taxes, and the inclination is to give incentives to the private sector to enable it to rise and develop itself.”