IDAL
(THE INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY OF LEBANON)

On 11 October 1994, Decree-Law no.5778 has created the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon ("IDAL”), the purpose of which is the development and reconstruction of Lebanon. This public establishment aims at encouraging foreign financiers and industrials to invest in Lebanon and facilitates their implementation.

IDAL carries out its activities in close relationship with all concerned ministries and submits its reports directly to the Prime Minister.

The role of IDAL mainly consists of:

1-   Supplying information on public ventures open to private investors;

2-   Offering assistance in the implementation of private projects and the formation of private companies;

3-   Bringing technical help to industrial projects in connection with cite location;

4-   Advising foreign corporations on the incentives to invest and the main provisions of the Lebanese legislation;

5-   Carrying out government projects available to the private sector on a BOT or BOO basis; and

6-   Ensuring the management of commercial and industrial zones.

It is worth mentioning that the Lebanese Government is currently preparing the establishment of several free zones as part of its efforts to facilitate and enhance the flow of trade throughout the region, and to encourage local industrial activities.

Charged with the implementation and the coordination of a major task, IDAL is currently awaiting tenders for three projects of free zones.

To that effect, IDAL is responsible for:

     Guaranteeing the establishment of a world-class infrastructure by private companies which will manage and operate the free zones.

     Providing BOT contractors with information relating to the concession of licenses and the obtaining of required permits.

     Ensuring the compliance of free zones with the environmental norms - 15% of the lands should be green - and requiring the use of non-polluting materials.

Any natural or legal person, Lebanese or foreigner, wishing to engage in an industrial or commercial activity in the free zones is required to file an application with IDAL in order to obtain the necessary authorization. The Study of the request will be effected within a period not exceeding one week.

A priority is granted to industrial activities, namely those relating to the manufacturing of export oriented goods, and industries leading to the employment of the local manpower and the transfer of foreign advanced technologies.

The free zones will certainly mark the start of a new era of commercial exchange between the countries of the region, thus resurrecting the remarkable success achieved by the Lebanese Government in this field before the start of the hostilities.

Usefull Adress :
Web site : http://www.idal.com.lb
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