1. “Tax Collection: Procedures and Problems”
Rana Houry

The paper on tax collection examines the procedures and problems which citizens encounter when dealing with government officials in tax collection offices, and presents recommendations to improve that interface. Section I presents the theoretical functions and legal procedures of the revenue department, and section II examines the apparatus and problems faced by the various finance departments and by citizens. Section III provides recommendations to combat and reduce corruption in the tax collection procedure.

2. “ Hospitalization and Public Health Services: the Role of the Health Ministry and Social Security”
Sima Ramadan

The paper focuses on the role of the Health Ministry and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in the provision of hospitalization and health services, and highlights the main procedures that a patient goes through when hospitalized at the expense of either body. Section I provides an overview of the health situation in the country and the use of curative/preventive health services, and section II examines the procedures and the activities of the Health Ministry and the NSSF. Section III pinpoints the patients' complaints, the loopholes, and the corrupt practices directly affecting the government’s increasing medical services expenditures which in turn drain financial resources of the Treasury. Section IV provides suggestions and recommendations to overcome the current problems.

3.“The Establishment and Regulation of Industries in Lebanon,”
Sami Atallah

The paper argues that although the procedures of establishing an industry in Lebanon are relatively easy, they have been circumvented by delegating the work to lawyers. Although regulations and laws related to industries are straightforward, they are overwhelmingly excessive leading to the increase in the transaction costs of doing business in Lebanon. The paper shows that the industrial sector is facing many obstacles such as the lack of transparency and accountability of the bureaucracy which are considered secondary to other such challenges as informal competition, dumping, and high cost of financing. Section I presents a brief history of the Lebanese industrial sector, and section II examines the profile of that sector. Section III examines the procedures of establishing an industry in Lebanon. Section IV assesses the regulation of an industry in Lebanon. The final section presents recommendations in light of the reforms currently adopted by the government.

4. “The Customs Agency: An Assessment of its Efficiency and Accountability”
Sami Atallah

To increase accountability and transparency in the Customs agency, the paper argues that any successful reform strategy must streamline bureaucratic procedures, improve economic incentives, and strengthen oversight mechanisms. Section I presents a brief overview of the Customs Agency with particular focus on the history, responsibilities, and economic importance of the agency. Section II examines three major problems in the Customs: bureaucratic procedures, poor economic incentives, and weak oversight mechanisms. Section III analyzes the types and market structure of corruption, while the last Section recommends policies in light of the reforms currently undertaken by the Ministry of Finance.

5. “The Consumer and Protection Office: Problems and Challenges”
Hussein Gharbieh

The paper examines the structure and functions of the Consumer Protection Office in light of the existing laws and legislation which govern it and which became obsolete and incapable of addressing today’s society needs. Section I assesses and compares the role of the Office before and after mid 1995. Section II presents the role and authorities of the various departments within the Consumer Protection Office. Section III describes the methods used to carry out the tasks of the Offices. Section IV proposes recommendations to reactivate the functions of the Office which have become idle and dysfunctional despite the formation of an advisory office whose main function is to revive it.

6. “The Wheat and Sugarbeet Office: Problems and Challenges”
Hussein Gharbieh

The paper takes a socio-economic approach in describing the structure, functions, and current status of the Wheat and Sugarbeet Office. It suggests recommendations to reactivate the functions of the Office departments on which many farmers depend on for their subsistence. Section I examines the purpose and the legal text which govern the work of the Office. Section II explores the means to achieve the goals of the various departments within the Wheat and Sugarbeet Office. Section III describes the activities of the Food Trade and Supplies Departments and their direct relation with the farmers. Section IV provides recommendations to enhance the performance and capability of the Office.