Ali Al-Masri: We Welcome the Golden Residency… But Investors Need Trust Before Granting It

Dr. Ali Al-Masri, President of the International Economic Lobby, welcomed the approval of the “Golden Residency” project in Lebanon, considering it a positive step and an indication of the state’s desire to attract foreign investment, stimulate economic activity, and reposition Lebanon on the regional and international investment map.

He emphasized that any initiative aimed at attracting investors and capital deserves support, especially given the difficult economic circumstances Lebanon is experiencing and the need for new projects that create job opportunities and contribute to revitalizing the national economy.

He pointed out that granting foreign investors long-term residency in exchange for an investment of no less than $500,000 could be an effective tool for attracting capital. However, the success of this initiative does not depend on granting residency itself, but rather on the state’s ability to provide a safe and stable investment environment capable of restoring investor confidence.

He added: “The fundamental question investors are asking today is not just how to obtain residency, but how they will bring their money into Lebanon and invest it confidently, given the ongoing crisis of confidence surrounding the banking system and the lack of clarity regarding mechanisms for protecting investments and transferring profits and capital abroad.”

He emphasized that investors are not only seeking residency, but also security and political stability, confidence in the financial system, and legal guarantees that protect their investments and capital. He stressed that the “golden residency” must be accompanied by genuine economic and legislative reforms, including updating investment laws, simplifying administrative procedures, enhancing transparency, and providing clear guarantees to protect investors and their investments.

He also raised a crucial question concerning the reality of investment within Lebanon itself, asking: “Will an investor granted the golden residency be able to invest freely in various Lebanese regions according to the law, or will they encounter social, political, sectarian, or partisan obstacles that even Lebanese investors sometimes face?”

He added that foreign investors don't just ask about the cost of residency or the required investment size, but also whether laws alone govern investment in Lebanon, or whether political, sectarian, or social considerations might affect the freedom of investment and economic movement between regions.

He emphasized that it's illogical to invite investors to inject millions of dollars into the Lebanese economy while some still face informal objections or reservations about ownership or investment in certain areas for reasons unrelated to the law. He stressed that investors seek a state governed by institutions and the rule of law, not closed and open zones.

He explained that the success of the Golden Residency program requires establishing the principle of complete equality for all investors before the law and removing any obstacles that might affect the freedom of investment and economic movement within the country, because investment, by its very nature, requires a unified, clear, and stable environment.

He said: “If Lebanon wants to compete with countries that implement golden residency programs, it must offer investors more than just residency. It must offer confidence, protection of private property, freedom to invest, ease of capital transfer, and complete equality for all investors before the law, regardless of their nationality or affiliation.”

He concluded: “We support any step that contributes to reviving the Lebanese economy, but the most important thing is that the golden residency be part of a comprehensive economic vision that rebuilds confidence and transforms Lebanon into a genuine destination for investment and production, not just a destination for obtaining long-term residency. The success of this initiative will not be measured by the number of residency permits granted, but by the number of projects that will be established, the job opportunities that will be created, and the capital that will settle and generate income within Lebanon.”