In Lebanon, there are already those who are calculating how much the “Trump Economic Zone” in South Lebanon will benefit the country economically.
NOTE: The South Lebanon Economic Zone is less about prosperity and more about risk management. Supporters see it as a tool to restrain Hezbollah and prevent war; critics see it as an illusion that masks a growing military threat under the guise of development.
The idea is that after Hezbollah is dismantled, billions of dollars (most of them from the Gulf) will flow into the south for both reconstruction and development, but this will only happen after security is established, residents return, and transparent regulation is in place – not exactly an area in which Lebanon has excelled to date. Without it?
How much money is on the table in this area (according to the assessment of Lebanese economists)?
- Potential investment package: $3–5 billion over a 4–5 year period