Lebanese gains from Syrian rebuilding may be limited

Subject

Lebanese plans to gain from Syria's reconstruction.

Significance

Lebanon has promoted its northern coastal city of Tripoli as a potential gateway to Syria, the border with which lies just 30 kilometres north of the town. Beirut hopes for a major economic boost from the flow of goods and materials through Tripoli’s port and on into Syria. However, there are obstacles to this initiative, including Tripoli’s Sunni-majority demographic make-up and its lack of capacity to add value to imports.

Impacts

• Where possible, the Syrian government will favour local ports and companies.
• Tripoli's potential gains will focus on the port and associated services through increased custom and possibly infrastructure development.
• Some benefit could come to the furniture industry in northern Lebanon.
• Political settlements in Syria’s north-west will be controversial and may re-ignite Sunni-Shia conflict in Tripoli.