Birthday: November 1, 1944 (Scorpio)
Born In: Sidon, Lebanon
Rafic Hariri
(Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2004)
Rafic Hariri, also known as Rafic Baha El Deen Al Hariri, was the Lebanese Prime Minister and an illustrious entrepreneurial bigwig. He dominated the post-war socio-political and entrepreneurial scenario of his country and was also credited with redeveloping Beirut, which was devastated due to the 15 long years of civil war. During his tenure, he headed five cabinets and implemented an aggressive economic policy. He privatized the industries and implemented the policy of direct foreign investment. Both these economic policies entirely changed the socio-economic scenario of Lebanon. Hariri backed entrepreneurs, foreigners, and individuals, who took an interest in the developmental potential of Lebanon. He simplified the tax structure and provided several tax breaks to the international investors. Due to his highly successful endeavors in the private sector and numerous international connections, Hariri also managed to garner a considerable amount of low-interest loans from various foreign investors. In an attempt to curb corruption and increase the value of Lebanese pound with respect to American dollar, he pursued a powerful macroeconomic policy and maintained a strict inter-bank interest rate. This macroeconomic policy and several other economic policies formulated by him, turned out to be remarkable successes. Unfortunately, despite his significant contributions, Hariri was assassinated in Beirut, while he was driving past the St. Georges Hotel. The reports of UNIIIC indicate that the Syrian Government is linked to his murder
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