Supporting Small Lebanese Businesses

Supporting lebanese businesses is and will always be one of the most important factors to keep a healthy, stable and long-lasting economy.

When we help small lebanese businesses our economy will be positively impacted. Small businesses will generate revenues to those who need it the most. This income will be spent locally and jobs will be created leading to a positive impact on the economy. When taken to a larger scale the impact will be amplified and the economy will grow.

Establishing, local shops, or even businesses all over the Lebanese territory, especially in remote areas, is a step towards building an operating economy. Having local shops/ businesses does not only decrease imports but also creates job opportunities for the unemployed. For example, opening a small shoe production factory, reduces unemployment in many ways than one, people who have shoe producing expertise, truck drivers for delivery, designers, accountants and many other jobless people would be hired.

What Can you Do to Support Small Businesses in Lebanon

Now that we have established our local firms, it’s time for the next step: supporting these businesses. How you would ask? Simply by purchasing from their production. Instead of buying shoes from the mall which could be from a worldwide brand chain of course where the money would go outside of not only the economy but the country as well, we for sure can buy from a local shop where the money will remain inside of the country and the owner of the small business. This will create a cycle within the country, in other words inside the economy.

After, establishing and supporting these small lebanese businesses, it is time to encourage others to do so as well. When you and your friend go on a shopping spree, instead of going to the mall, take your friend to the local shops and have the shopping spree there. This way you are not only supporting these shops, but you are also encouraging others to do so.

You can also shop lebanese products at the comfort of your home on watani, since watani does not take commissions on sales your contributions will be direct. You can also ask your family and friends to shop on watani from abroad so that local shops can get paid in fresh dollars as well. Don’t forget to spread the word. Check out the vendor I have recruited, Rita Maria K Arts she has a great talent and is offering hand-drawn artworks printed on different items.

I believe that, local shops should always take the lead when it comes to our shopping needs, for these local shops are way more important and in need for our support, recognition and of course our money to keep their business alive and therefore contribute to a healthy economy.

Photo credit: Joseph Eid AFP