Lebanon's Finance Minister: 'Steps Needed After Long-term Investment Rating Downgraded '

FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
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Lebanon's Finance Minister: 'Steps Needed After Long-term Investment Rating Downgraded '

FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.
FILE PHOTO: Minister Ali Hassan Khalil speaks during a meeting in Beirut.

Lebanon's Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said a report by Moody's Investors Service that downgraded the country's long-term investment ratings reflects the need for quickly forming a new government and implementing reforms, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Khalil's statement came in a tweet Tuesday after Moody's downgraded the Lebanon's issuer ratings to Caa1 from B3.

The outlook was changed to stable from negative.

Moody's said its decision reflects the heightened risk that the government's response to increased liquidity and financial stability risks will include "a debt rescheduling or other liability management exercise that may constitute a default under Moody's definition," according to AP.

Lebanon's economy has been under pressure with a debt of $85 billion equal to 150 percent of its GDP and little growth.



Saudi Environment Ministry Launches Electronic Service for Agricultural Sector to Connect to Grid

Saudi Environment Ministry Launches Electronic Service for Agricultural Sector to Connect to Grid
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Saudi Environment Ministry Launches Electronic Service for Agricultural Sector to Connect to Grid

Saudi Environment Ministry Launches Electronic Service for Agricultural Sector to Connect to Grid

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has launched an electronic service, as part of the Liquid Fuel Displacement Program, which aims to displace up to one million barrels of liquid fuels across the agriculture, industry and utilities sectors by 2030.
The new electronic service enables targeted farm owners to register their requests to connect their agricultural holdings to the electricity grid and reduce reliance on liquid fuel, SPA reported.
The ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Saudi Electricity Company, and the Agricultural Development Fund, aims to reduce factors affecting the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom, and contribute to preserving the environment, in line with the goals of the Kingdom Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture encourages targeted farm owners to register to connect to the grid through the electronic platform Naama.