SETTING UP AN OFFICE AND HIRING STAFF

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1 inspire. empower. connect Lebanon SETTING UP AN OFFICE AND HIRING STAFF

2 KEY SUPPLIERS Setting Up an Office HOW TO FIND OFFICE SPACE, OFFICE FURNITURE, SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CENTERS Beirut is Lebanon s business hub, wtih nearly all major businesses in the country based here. There are a number of ways to find suitable offices. The most convenient is through one of the specialist real estate agents who deal in commercial rentals. A list of websites that provide information about renting office space in Lebanon and serviced offices, which are more expensive but have flexible contracts to meet short-term business needs of entrepreneurs, are: YourCity Office Office Space Abacus Serviced offices html index2.html Office Furniture There are a number of companies that specialize in office furniture and interior design in Lebanon. Two of the more well known ones are: Al-Maktab Bayt Group Business Centers There are several short-term business centers available for business meetings, conventions, trade fairs, events and exhibitions in Lebanon. Some are standalone business centers such as: Novabura Business Incubation Association in Tripoli

3 Hotels that provide business center services include: InterContinental Le Vendome Beirut Meridien Commodore Heliopolitan Hotel Le Bristol Hotel

4 KEY SUPPLIERS Workforce HOW TO FIND WORKFORCE AND TEMPORARY STAFF One of the biggest challenges for a new company is to find the highest quality staff. The first port of call is a recruitment consultancy. Although there are many employment agencies, the following offer the largest inventory of staff: Monster Gulf Bayt.com Akhtaboot Jobs MENA Wazeefati Temporary staffing is available, though not as common as in other financial capitals. A firm specializing in temporary staff is: Recruiters A database of recruitment consultants in Lebanon can be found at:

5 KEY SUPPLIERS Visas and Permits HOW TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY VISAS AND PERMITS (LABOR, EXPORT, ETC) Work Permits for Professional Staff of Foreign Firms Obtaining work permits for overseas nationals working for an international company based in Lebanon is relatively straightforward. When applying for work in a Lebanese institution, the labor law imposes many restrictions, but in practice the Ministry of Labor is relatively relaxed in granting such work permits. Proprietor s Work Permit An entrepreneur who wants a work permit must provide details about the company s business activity and a copy of a bank statement showing an operating capital of at least LBP100 million. A foreign national must have at least one local partner holding the majority share to apply for a work permit. Representatives of Overseas Firms The managers, branch managers, or chief accountants of an overseas company registered in Lebanon need the local company s commercial registration, which is issued by the Ministry of Trade and Economy. They also need a certified copy of the company bylaws from company headquarters as well as a letter of appointment certified by the embassy in the country of origin and then by the Lebanese Ministry of Interior. Executives of Locally Registered Overseas Firms The country s labor law stipulates that jobs should, whenever possible, be given to a Lebanese national. To hire a foreigner, the employer must convince the ministry that there is no one locally available who is equally qualified to perform the work. Import and Export Permits Documents needed to export and import: Bank documents Customs clearance documents Port and terminal handling documents Transport documents

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