concerning buisness i had a shop selling shoes..so i can give u a help..china is invading lebanon..there were some local manufacturer of shoes with very good quality...but they started to import from china and prices start to fall..so during summer u can find a very nice shoes at 20$..then in order to protect the market the goverment of lebanon added 3 dollars on each pair of shoe..so now shoes even from china are at average price...yess indian leather is good but as they have said the lebanese market wants the latest fashion....so if u can afford good quality at good prices then u can think..and it will be better to deal with a manufacturer not shops..anyway it takes only three hours from here u can spend a lovely week end and have a look...it is not easy but u can always try...and be sure it is safe....just look at how many visitors only in december have arrived..good luck