Although Lebanon is a tiny country and counts a little more than 4 Million citizens, the size and reach of the Lebanese Diaspora are much bigger. Dimyanos Kattar, considers that the unique human capital of Lebanese emigrants and expatriates can be utilized to stimulate a rapid economic recovery.

Emigrants are those Lebanese natives that have left their motherland for good to settle in countries where they can stay and acquire civic and naturalization rights. They count more than 12 Million today. The emigration phenomenon started in the early 20th century mainly to the American and Australian continents. Some of those Lebanese emigrants have achieved spectacular successes in their countries of immigration. They are a real asset for Lebanon.

Expatriates are people who move to another country seeking employment or entrepreneurial openings mainly in the Gulf countries, Africa and Europe.

A large number of the Lebanese people in this group are ready to come back, work and invest in Lebanon provided the country offers them stability and business opportunities.

Around 6 Billion US Dollars are injected into the Lebanese economy by the Diaspora every year, says Kattar. Most of this income is in the form of family support, as nearly every Lebanese family has one or more of its members working abroad. No wonder how Lebanese families have been able to overcome the successive economic crises for past 30 years or so!!

According to Kattar, the government should have policies that encourage emigrants to strengthen their ties with Lebanon by giving them the chance to restore their civic rights. The central state should also be accountable for giving all the Lebanese a minimum level of stability and equal opportunities. This will not only attract expatriates to return, but it will also stop the drain of Lebanon’s youth, skill and talent now leaving the country.