Despite the improving tourism activity, and the contracting trade deficit, Lebanon’s Balance of Payment (BoP) remained in the red for the first 7 months of 2015, recording a deficit of $1.32B, compared to a surplus of $131M, in the same period last year. This was mainly due to the decline in capital inflows and Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) as a result of the ongoing regional and domestic developments. In fact, Net Foreign Assets (NFA) of the Central Bank (BDL) grew by $1.87B until July, while that of the commercial banks fell by $3.18B, over the same period.
In July alone, Lebanon’s Balance of Payments (BoP) recorded a mere surplus, for the third month of the year, of $2.4M. In details, Net Foreign Assets (NFA) of the Central Bank (BDL) grew by $37.5M in July, while that of the commercial banks fell by $35M from the prior month.
Balance of Payments Up to July (In $ M)
Source: Banque du Liban