rolf wrotenuclearcat wroteTherefore, the options that are available in larger countries (focusing on the domestic economy for survival, patching up trade balance) - wont work in Lebanon.
Until I see real change which benefits the people (24h electricity for example?) I will not put any hope in the government of Lebanon.
For the people of Lebanon to have a better future, I believe in:
- Guerrilla economy: Struggling for continuing economic success despite all the restrictions, going around banks, etc. Maybe with some foreign help - I think that anyone going down that route can maybe find international support, but it is risky because this support can change pretty quickly.
- To control the development of the petrol extraction. This will be a tricky one but people of Lebanon must have a say and some control in this new development, otherwise there is a risk in the end that resources and revenues from petrol extraction will just end up being used to subjugate, control free people and threaten entrepreneurship and small businesses.
- Current way how government and state structure operating are not ok. Period. Up to lebanese people how to fix that and that should be fixed first, non-violent way (otherwise you will eye years of civil war).
It is useless to propose and discuss any plans for salvation at moment, nobody will hear and implement them. For example, if you will get any aid now - it will be quickly wasted and pocketed and aggravate future recovery.
- Do not count on profit from natural resources. If they are found(high chance there is nothing), at current hydrocarbons prices (due global recession) with a high probability - it is unprofitable yet to retrieve them (deep drilling plus underwater drilling).
While the Lebanese refusing to negotiate with each other, fighting, and cannot find a common language and dont want to be realistic - Lebanon resembles a truck that at maximum speed going into a concrete wall.
Specifically to the topic under discussion - do not hope that your lira will have purchasing power and exchanging to USD will be more and more challenging, look for a way to earn income in so called "fresh" dollars. Many here - IT-knowledgeable, they can find remote job, freelance, etc.
I opened an account the few days ago in Moscow, at Tinkoff Bank (a fully online bank), and it seems that they can provide account for foreigners too, and quickly enough - you only need a passport, visa and of course money.
But specifically this bank most likely I can’t advise everyone - the application is in Russian, but it’s just absolutely great. They offer free sim card also, and tariffs are more than affordable, no more this headache with "burning" number in Lebanon, i might get rid from my lebanese sim totally and use russian number (because mostly it is whatsapp calls and etc).
I'm fed up, i was very sick for 1 week and lost number of my daughter with $100+ balance, cause she was not checking SMS (due spam), and they have very short time to notice that number is not working.