According to figures released by the Order of Engineers of Beirut and Tripoli, construction permits in Lebanon in 2011 fell by 6.8 percent compared to the same period of 2010.

The figures showed that the area of newly issued construction permits reached 16,425,274 square meters in 2011. This compares to an increase of 23% witnessed in 2010 which shows that appetite for commencing new projects had increased within the context of a more stable political environment and higher economic activity.

Last December, construction permits witnessed a sixth consecutive YoY decline of 11.7% compared to December 2010 pursuing a downward trend observed over the previous months of the year.

During 2011, most of the demand for construction permits originated mainly from Mount Lebanon which captured a share of 61.1% of total permits.

(Sourced from Daily Star)