BEIRUT – The Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Nightclubs and Patisseries decried a recent shift towards dollarization in the sector, saying most establishments “do not have dollars.” The statement appealed to suppliers to “collect money in Lebanese lira only and at prices that are not parallel to the [black market] exchange rates.”

Here’s what we know:

    • “Due to the continuous fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar against the lira, some of the entities that the sector deals with to operate their establishments including suppliers, property owners or lawyers, marketing companies and others are now demanding that all or some of their dues be paid in fresh dollars,” the statement said.

    • The statement clarified that, as tourist institutions, owners of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and patisseries collect money in Lebanese lira and can’t meet the demands of those requiring US dollars.

    • “We appeal to the unions and those responsible to get paid in lira, and to take into account the difficult financial conditions that the country is going through,” the statement added.

    • Burdened by expenses they cannot afford, restaurant owners have demanded government support since last summer in a list of areas, including halting taxes and initiating touristic programs and campaigns. They also asked for help from the private sector as they pleaded with landlords to be more lenient on rent fees.