A new record tally of billions has entered the state treasury... and you won't believe the reason! In a country where the currency has collapsed and is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in history, these billions come from special numbers. "It's incredible"... indeed it is, and it is joyful news that could bring tears to one's eyes, in a country that is searching for any way to inject money into the treasury.
The Committee for Selling Special Numbers announced that the total amount collected in the last session exceeded 12 billion Lebanese pounds. "Lebanese people enjoy luxury and have a passion for these manifestations, including special numbers, despite the economic crisis we are suffering from," says Ayman Abdul Ghafour, head of the Vehicle Registration Authority and Secretary of the Special Numbers Sale Committee.
Abdul Ghafour explains, in an interview with MTV, the factors that lead to this demand: "As a result of the economic crisis, many people have had their money trapped in banks. By purchasing a special number, a check can be issued that is placed in an account managed at the Banque du Liban, thus allowing any citizen with frozen funds to go for these special numbers to free their money. Additionally, many are moving to cash their funds by buying these numbers to preserve the value of their money through them, and therefore there is a purpose behind trading them. Another point is the difference in exchange rates; for example, a number that was sold for two million dollars before 2019 is now being sold for about one hundred thousand dollars. Those who possess fresh dollars are the ones rushing to buy these numbers, benefiting from the exchange rate difference; it is a trade of numbers that is active and legally permitted."
He adds: "Special numbers used to be given based on favoritism, but after the law was passed for selling these numbers and setting prices for them after 2018, any citizen can now purchase them. Some of these numbers, known as VVIP or Golden Numbers, are only sold at auctions and consist of (XXX or X00); there are about 280 such numbers, and we have sold 20 of them so far," noting that the level of competition in the last auction was remarkable and significant. The number that was supposed to have a price of 3 billion and 300 million Lebanese pounds was sold for 5 billion and 750 million Lebanese pounds, which is recorded as a record number in terms of selling special numbers.
All revenue from special numbers goes to the state's treasury, and these amounts are "fantastic." So, is there any benefit from them? Abdul Ghafour answers: "This money boosts the state treasury, but the economic situation and the crisis are far beyond the matter of special numbers, yet the funds generated from selling these numbers are acceptable." It's strange, all this contradiction in our country!
