Salameh: Remittances into Lebanon mitigate threat posed by public debt

Salameh: Remittances into Lebanon mitigate threat posed by public debt

The central bank governor said that a high growth rate is the country’s challenge for the future.

May 19, 2010 10:13 by Rasha Reslan

The threat to Lebanon’s economy posed by the public debt burden will be offset by a continued high remittance rate into the country, the central bank governor, Riad Salameh said, the Daily Star reports.

The real challenge to Lebanon’s economy is to maintain a high growth rate, he said, citing improved infrastructure, and reforms in the water, telecom, and transportation sectors as key requirements.

Salameh highlighted the efforts of Lebanon’s central bank to facilitate funding while minimizing banking credit risks, paper said.

Reducing public debt remains a key goal of the 2010 budget, which Salameh says will free up more funding for the private sector and perhaps put downward pressure on interest rates. “Reforming the electricity sector will give a great boost to the Lebanese economy,” he said.