Area Size: 1,058 Km2
Population: 276,285 (as per latest estimates)
Districts: Bent Jbeil, Hasbaya, Marjaayoun, Nabatieh
Administrative Center: Nabatieh
Number of municipalities: 119
Unemployment rate: 6%

LOCATION & TOPOGRAPHY:

The Nabatieh governorate is divided into four districts that are the largest in South Lebanon (Nabatieh, Hasbaya, Bint Jbeil, and Marjeyoun).

The governorate is located in the far South of Lebanon, with the Mount of Rihan and Jezine district on its northern border, Litani river valley to the East and South, and the fertile coastal plains to the west.  It has a total surface area of 1,058 km² which constitutes 10% of the total Lebanese territory. Nabatieh city, the capital of the governorate, is 22 km away from Saida and 65km from Beirut.

MAIN ECONOMIC INDICATORS:

• The labor force is mainly concentrated in the manufacturing (29%) and the services (26%) sector.
• Wholesale and retail trade sector contributes 60% to the total gross value added of Nabatieh.
• Nabatieh district has the highest share of industrial firms accounted for 63% of total factories in the governorate.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:

• The second highest concentration of Lebanon’s olives cultivation accounted for 18%.
• The third highest share of goat farming in all Lebanon.
• Increase of industrial firms at a CAGR of 13% over the 2011-2016 period.
• Food and beverages sector is the largest industrial sector and comprises around 28% of industrial firms.
• More than 138 natural and eco-touristic attractions spread across the region.

2- Access to Markets:

• Connections to Saida and Tyr through two major highways.

3- Access to Human Capital:

• Local human capital is mainly specialized in commerce and agriculture activities.
• 3 private universities along with Lebanese University faculties are serving the region.
• The region is home to 13% of total public technical schools and 9% of total students.
• New business center South BIC that offers intensive incubation services to encourage entrepreneurship in Nabatieh.

4- Access to Finance:

• The second highest share of financial guarantees issued by Kafalat per population.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Olive oil cultivation has high potential for growth in the region especially that the production in Lebanon has increased from 6,000 tons in 1990 to 23,000 tons in 2017 in addition to the support of the EU to the Lebanese exports. 

• 86% of permanent crops cultivation in Nabatieh is dedicated to olives
• 25% of olive mills in Lebanon are located in South Lebanon
• 18% of olive trees are cultivated in Nabatieh district
• 9% increase of olive oil exports between 2014 and 2017