Lebanon's capital city is characterized by the enigmatic contradictions that mix the cosmopolitan and sophisticated with the parochial and provincial. Throughout history, the city has suffered a lot from an array of terrorist attacks and wars. And, only starting from the 1990s, it has begun the efforts to restore its cultural landmarks and economic base. Nowadays, when one speaks of the business opportunities in Lebanon, he means Beirut. The city is called the country's business center because it is home to numerous banking and financial institutions, HQs of the Middle East Airlines, and offices of a wide range of other industries. Although the banking industry is the backbone of the local economy, the latter is rather diversified and includes trade, publishing, tourism, and a vast array of other industries. Beirut as the business center can boast of a profound educational base formed of the universities, colleges, vocational and technical institutes, etc. Thus, in case you are looking for hiring opportunities in the Middle East - Beirut will surely cover your needs. An extensive transportation network is another perk that works in favor of the location, promoting it as a business one. Beirut is served by the Rafik Hariri International Airport. The Port of Beirut is one of the largest and most commercial ports in the eastern Mediterranean. The city can also be reached by road and has an extensive intra-city network of transportation means.
