The Ministry of Finance recently uncovered during a presentation to the international rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) that Lebanon achieved a surplus of LBP 27 trillion ($300 million) during the year 2024. In details, cash revenues leveled at LBP 366 trillion ($4.1 billion) as a result of improved compliance and collection efforts, outpacing budgeted revenues by 19% notwithstanding the extension of some tax deadlines as a result of the war, while expenditures (including emergency relief to war victims, payments to municipalities, the NSSF and EDL) stood at LBP 340 trillion ($3.8 billion). In addition, the ministry revealed that it resumed local and foreign debt payment in 2024, settling some LBP 28 trillion ($300 million) in domestic obligations and $368 million in external debt in the process, emphasizing in this context on the importance of this step towards restoring international confidence. Finally, the ministry commented that the surpluses achieved during the year 2023 ($364 million) and 2024 were instrumental towards stabilizing the exchange rate and reducing inflation.