Starting a business in Lebanon
Legal Forms of Companies
- Joint Stock Company (SAL)
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Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners / shareholders.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000 with 25% to be paid at time of registration.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
- Private Limited Company (SARL)
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Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners / shareholders, with a maximum of 20.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 5,000,000 wholly paid-up at time of registration.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
- General Partnership (SNC)
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability
- SCA or partnership limited by actions
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability for general partners. Liability limited to their investments for limited partners.
- SCS or partnership limited by shares
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability for general partners. Liability limited to their investments for limited partners.
- The holding company, subject to Decree Law no.45 of June, 24 1983 and its amendments.
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Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
- The offshore company subject to Decree Law no.46 of June, 24 1983
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Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
Business Setup Procedures
Setting Up a Company |
Lebanon |
Middle East & North Africa |
Procedures (number) |
8.0 |
6.3 |
Time (days) |
15.0 |
19.5 |
Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.
- The Competent Organisation
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The Ministry of the Economy and Trade issues the necessary authorizations but concretely, an investor who wishes to form a company in Lebanon has only one contact, the Investment Development Authority.
- For Further Information
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Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Lebanon.
Financial Information Directories
Dun & Bradstreet - Worldwide directory with financial information on businesses
Kompass - Lebanese business directory
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Latest Update: July 2024