The objective was to assess the changes the private sector faced due to the appreciation of the Euro. The study was undertaken in collaboration of the Ministry of Finance. The findings were compiled into a publication. Methodology: Desk research and in-depth interviews with companies operating in the country’s top trading sectors, focused on foodstuffs, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cars, and petroleum.
The main objective of the study which was funded by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation was to gain qualitative insight from companies in the trade sector on their awareness of the Euro-Med agreement, their perceptions of its advantages and disadvantages as well its potential benefits. Methodology: In-depth face-to-face interviews with company general managers selected from a list of small, medium, and large importers and exporters currently operating in the Lebanese market.
The objective of the study was to identify the reasons behind the low level of private investment to GDP, firm-level productivity, economic diversification, and exports of non-traditional products in Lebanon by focusing on the environment faced by firms in the region, the role of public policy in improving it, and the way in which the political economy of State-business relations may be hindering progress on reforms. InfoPro assisted the World Bank in creating a road map on how to maximize the contribution of the private sector to future growth and job creation. Methodology: Desk review and face-to-face interviews with experts on a variety of topics.Read more
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) have a direct implication on the exports of the food manufacturing industry. An initial study was commissioned by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) updated four years later. The study was carried out to assess the effects of TBTs. Recommendations for both the public and private sector on how to address policy and technical issues that will eventually limit export constraints faced by the sector were also provided. Methodology: In-depth interviews with companies in the food manufacturing sector.Read more
The study was commissioned by the World Bank. It aims to measure the impact of the crisis on key components of the private sector including sales, profitability, employment, finances, and expectations of the future. Two surveys at different intervals with the same panel of firms were planned to better understand the implications of the crisis, coping mechanisms utilized, and recovery path. Methodology: A quantitative survey with 532 firms.
A study for the World Bank. The aim of the study was to identify the indirect and direct damages incurred by individuals and the private sector post the July 2006 war and to prioritize their current needs so as to be able to formulate a recovery and rehabilitation plan. The study assessed the impact on businesses and included in-depth interviews with the owners of the biggest businesses that were directly targeted during the war, in-depth interviews with a sample of small enterprises located in war-affected area, and in-depth interviews with a panel of companies selected from the Productivity and Investment Climate Assessment survey. Assessed the economic impact of the war on businesses belonging to a variety of sectors and their current and future needs. It included in-depth interviews with key business leaders in a variety of organizations and sectors, in addition to a compilation of common needs across various sectors. Assessment of the needs of households and the displaced. Methodology: interviews with 400 SME’s, 2,000 individuals, and 50 in-depth interviews with large businesses.
Read more
Two studies for the World Bank. The objective is to understand conditions in the investment climate and their effect on firm-level productivity for the private sector. The goal of the studies was to advise the Lebanese government on ways to change policies that are hindering the growth of the private sector and develop new policies that support productivity growth. Interviews were conducted 953company managers. The sectors covered for this study were the following: Food and beverage, furniture, textile, trade, services, construction, and hotels. The studies delved into the following: Evaluation of productivity level of businesses, Assess investment climate constraints to the company, Identify investment in capacity, innovation and learning, Identify obstacles with respect to infrastructure and services, Evaluate relations between businesses and the government, Evaluate the labor status of businesses.
Read more
A study for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). A representative sample of companies in the areas of Beirut and Mount Lebanon were surveyed, to support the government in its efforts to simplify the country’s business start-up regulations by improving and streamlining the registration procedures. Assess and evaluate the processes in place and arrive at workable recommendations that would ultimately modernize, upgrade and introduce best practices. Identify measure to streamline, simplify and automate the business registration process through the Commercial Registry (CR). Interviews were conducted with lawyers and business owners who had registered their own companies. Determining the obstacles faced by the private sector in start-up business registration and daily procedures, assisted in gauging overall satisfaction with government processes, and helped pinpoint areas that required reform to be implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET). Site assessment of all Commercial Registries. Assessment of the current set-up of the Commercial Registries by interviewing the general director, Head Judge of the Commercial Registry, and the chief clerk across the various Mohafaza’s, in addition to more than 20 lawyers in order to map the registration process and recommend a more streamlined process.
Read more
A survey for Gallup covering a broad range of business environment topics including access to finance, corruption, infrastructure, crime, competition, and performance measures. The study consisted of a nationwide corporate survey with 570 enterprises and provided statistically significant investment climate indicators that are comparable across countries. Assess the constraints to private sector growth and job creation. Build a panel of establishment-level data that will make it possible to track changes in the business environment over time. Collect in-depth information concerning the labor market situation of young people and quantify the relative ease of labor market entry. Identify critical issues in the youth employment challenge and understand blockages. Identify areas for policy and program additions or revisions.
Read more
A study for the Lebanese Transparency Association. Survey of 700 companies to address corruption in the public sector. Identification of private sectors view of corruption, Perception of the legal system, Challenges in procurement with private and public sector entities, Evaluate the effect of bureaucracy and state intervention in the firm, Perception of the private sector of their influence on lobbying.
Read more
A study with EU-financed TRANSTEC/EQUINOCCIO consortium in partnership with the Lebanese Franchising Association (LFA). Provide an overview of franchising in the country. Survey of the franchising industry and gather information on franchisors and local and international franchisees and estimate the contribution of franchising to the Lebanese economy, including 1,200 companies. The sectoral assessment included gathering information on employment, revenue and profitability, international expansion, financial conditions and constraints, franchisor-franchisee relationships, and outlook for the future. The study also assessed the barriers hampering growth and development in order to develop informed decisions on strategies that can grow this sector.
Read more
A survey for the World Bank covering business environment topics including access to finance, corruption, infrastructure, crime, competition, and performance measures. Methodology: Nationwide corporate survey with 532 enterprises. The study provided statistically significant investment climate indicators that are comparable across countries. It assessed constraints to private sector growth and job creation. The findings were also used to help policy makers better understand the business environment and identify, prioritize and implement reforms of policies and institutions that support efficient private economic activity.
Read more
Since 2015, InfoPro has conducted an annual survey of company leaders for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) ‘Global Competitiveness Report’ assessing the competitive landscape of economies worldwide and providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. A major component of the report is the Executive Opinion Survey (EOS) which measures a nation’s economic environment and its ability to achieve sustained growth. The Survey measures appetite for entrepreneurship, skill gaps, and corruption. The Survey also helps calculate the WEF Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), and other indices.
Read more
