Lebanon’s private sector eyeing Gulf investments: Too early?

BEIRUT – "Finally! It’s with one particular word that President Joseph Aoun not only welcomed Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faysal bin Farhan last week, but also turned the page on more than a decade of strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed the relief of a part of the population and the private sector at the potential return of investments from the Gulf.Many hoped to once again see investments flow in from the Kingdom and the Gulf region to an economy battered by over five years of crisis and a brutal war with Israel.On Jan.14, Saudi billionaire Prince al-Waleed bin Talal announced plans to reopen the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut at the start of 2026.“Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have already informed us of their interest to invest in many sectors in Lebanon,” said...