Fiscal Year 2026
Capacity Development Activities
Financial Supervision and Regulation
Supervision of Payment Service Providers (April 20-23)
This workshop aimed at strengthening the supervisory capacity of the Banking Control Commission of Lebanon (BCCL) in overseeing payment service providers (PSPs). It provided hands-on, risk-based supervisory training, covering key risks faced by PSPs, supervisory tools, and practical approaches to off-site analysis and targeted inspections. Discussions were anchored in Lebanon’s institutional and regulatory context, including Banque du Liban’s licensing and regulatory framework for electronic transfer of cash companies, and highlighted supervisory challenges arising from rapid fintech innovation, extensive agent networks, and cash-intensive business models.
Government Finance Statistics and Public Sector Debt Statistics
Government Finance Statistics training (May 19-June 30)
METAC helped Lebanon improve GFS quality, coverage, and harmonization, ensuring alignment with international GFS standards. The mission engaged with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, assessing the quality of current data, enhancing coverage and timeliness, assessing IT support, and developing an action plan for the next 12 months. The authorities are interested in re-starting national fiscal reporting and GFS compilation. The mission offered guidance on data collection and worked to integrate data from different sources. It also reviewed the current fiscal reports, as well as revenue and expense transactions focusing on how to classify them in line with international standards.
Public Debt Management
Training on Debt Portfolio Management and Debt Reporting (January 19-23)
This training is part of the analytical capacity-building program for public debt managers at the Ministry of Finance of Lebanon. It trained debt managers on debt portfolio analysis and supported authorities in enhancing debt reporting and debt transparency, including efforts to restore the production of regular debt reports. The mission also provided recommendations and advice on areas in which debt managers in Lebanon may need to respond to challenges for a conflict-affected country.
Public Financial Management
Macro-fiscal Forecasting (July- August)
METAC supported Lebanon in developing the medium-term fiscal framework (MTFF) for the 2026 budget preparation process. The mission is part of the continued support to the Lebanese Ministry of Finance (MoF) on strengthening the macro fiscal framework by developing the macro-fiscal indicators and improving fiscal projections for fiscal years 2026-2029. The aim is to restore MoF’s macro-fiscal functions and improve the contribution of the MTFF in budget preparation and the management of fiscal risks. The Macro-fiscal Unit (MFU) team reviewed the main assumptions and methodology used to develop 2026 estimates and to contribute to the budget preparation process. The mission focused on enhancing forecasting methods for main economic and fiscal objectives over the medium term, strengthening the model linkages comprehensively and consistently, and explaining the forecasts’ main underlying assumptions.
Workshop on Fiscal Risk Management with the Institute of Finance (IOF) Basil Fuleihan (March 24-27)
This online workshop on Fiscal Risk Management was organized in collaboration with the Institute of Finance (IOF) Basil Fuleihan. The workshop brought together participants from the Ministry of Finance and various Lebanese public institutions to discuss good practices and technical tools for identifying, analyzing, and managing fiscal risks. It focused on the IMF Fiscal Risk Toolkit, covering key areas such as macroeconomic fiscal risks, risks related to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and government guarantees.
Real Sector Statistics
Improving annual GDP estimates
During September and October, METAC provided peripatetic technical assistance to the Central Administration of Statistics to improve the quality of national accounts statistics with a focus on timeliness of annual estimates.
Training National Accounts (March 16-June 1)
Peripatetic technical assistance to the Central Administration of Statistics (CAS) to review the source data and methodologies used to compile annual national accounts statistics and assist with the planning of a rebase of national accounts.
High Level Economic Assessment of the Income Tax Brackets and Rates (March 9-13)
This desk-based activity assessed the impact of the proposed personal income tax (PIT) reform on revenues and inequality in Lebanon through a microsimulation of the income distribution and explored viable alternative PIT schedules.
Revenue Administration
ASYCUDA World Assessment
A recent METAC mission in Lebanon focused on reviewing the country’s customs IT system, ASYCUDA World. The team worked closely with local officials to identify ways to improve digital processes and make customs operations more efficient. The review highlighted opportunities to automate key procedures and strengthen system management, helping Lebanon move closer to international best practices. These efforts are part of METAC’s ongoing support for modernizing revenue administration in the region. By sharing expertise and practical recommendations, METAC aims to help countries like Lebanon enhance their digital capabilities and deliver better public services.
Risk Management Unit Needs Assessment (November 3-12)
This mission conducted a needs assessment of the Lebanon Customs Authority (LCA) Risk Management Unit (RMU). The Unit’s alignment with good international practices and effectiveness in supporting a risk-based approach to customs operations was assessed. The mission team identified gaps in the risk process, communications, officer capacity, and supporting IT systems in collaboration with the Risk Management Unit.
Tax review of Income Tax Law (November 19-December 19)
This activity facilitated the review of a draft Income Tax Law (ITL) submitted to Lebanon’s Council of Ministers and preparation of a national tax administration implementation plan.
IT Stabilization (April 6-30)
This assignment builds directly on earlier support to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on IT stabilization and had two objectives. First, to support implementation and stabilization of planned e-filing enhancements for offshore and holding company returns, Second, to explore next steps for completing the IT stabilization project and identifying CD support needs.
Tax Policy
Desk review of the Income Tax Law (November 10-30)
IMF experts and the Lebanese authorities continued discussions on upgrading the income tax law, identifying several policy and legal reform options to improve the income tax system.
