Lebanon

METAC has provided technical assistance on the development of an early warning system, as well as training to Banking Control Commission staff.

METAC intends to support the public financial management reform strategy in Lebanon, which was developed with IMF assistance. An IMF headquarters mission in late 2005 (in which METAC participated) developed a draft action plan for reform drawing upon the substantial body of advice provided by the IMF and World Bank in recent years. The specific projects for METAC involvement have not yet been identified.

METAC has followed-up on tax administration reforms previously recommended by IMF headquarters, including the restructuring of the revenue departments, establishment of the Large Taxpayer Office (LTO) and design of its operations. Assistance was provided on the establishment of the LTO (which was inaugurated in May 2005) and the review of its initial operations. METAC also helped to review the plans for restructuring the regional offices and for establishing a Medium Taxpayer Office (MTO), and in preparations for the introduction of a general income tax. The IMF will continue to provide strategic advice and support to key elements of the tax administration reforms.

METAC is working with the World Bank on developing a statistical master plan for Lebanon. It is also involved in TA in national accounts, price statistics, and government finance statistics. METAC’s statistics activities with the Bank of Lebanon will focus on implementing a survey of foreign direct investment enterprises and in developing the capacity to produce data on trade in services.