Beirut Traders Association (BTA) and Bankmed release the results of “Beirut Traders Association – Bankmed Investment Index” for the third quarter of 2015 Beirut, January 12, 2016: Beirut Traders Association and Bankmed released the results of “Beirut Traders Association – Bankmed Investment Index,” for the third quarter of 2015. The index, which is backed by the technical support of the Central Administration of Statistics in Lebanon, aims at assessing the reality of the wholesale sector in Lebanon. The index reflects the investment climate in Lebanon, shedding light on the commercial activity and overall economic situation. The results for the third quarter of 2015 indicated a continued deterioration in both, the “Turnover Component” and the “Intention to Invest Component,” revealing an intention to disinvest in the near future. The “Turnover Component,” which tackles the activity during the quarter under study, recorded a real decline amounting to 8.86% in comparison with the third quarter of 2014. This drop is attributed to the continued political stalemate which is impacting the purchasing power of domestic consumers. It also reflects the negative results that were recorded in the retail sector at the beginning of 2015 in addition to deteriorating activity in most wholesale sectors during the third quarter. According to the published results, Wholesale of Medical Equipment and Spare Parts, the Wholesale of Electrical & Electric Parts and Equipment, and the Wholesale of Liquid Fuels as well as the Wholesale of Dairy Products, Eggs, and Fat witnessed a recognized improvement in their wholesale activity. On the other hand, the Wholesale of Pastry, Chocolate, Sweets, Jams and Kernels, the Wholesale of Iron, the Wholesale of Household Electrical Equipment, the Wholesale of Books, Magazines, Newspapers and Stationary, the Wholesale of Construction Materials, as well as the Wholesale of Electrical Engines and Transformers witnessed a notable decline in their wholesale activity. The deterioration witnessed in commercial activity continued to affect the “Intention to Invest Component,” which denoted intentions to disinvest among a number of wholesale sectors. However, the Wholesale of Consumer Goods Sector and Wholesale of Medical Equipment and Spare Parts indicated, once again, revealed an intention to increase investment in the upcoming period. The “BTA – Bankmed Investment Index” has become an important indicator of the activity in the commercial sector as it assists the caretakers in making educated decisions in their future investments. (Download Press release and the results in English and Arabic languages).

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