Qartaba is considered the main largest village in the highland of Jbeil after Byblos city itself, as well as an important trading place for all its surrounding villages; Starting 1918, Silk manufacturing flourished in kartaba and the number of factories at this time was 7, where more than 500 man and women worked. An important number of silk produced was exported LYON city in France by the people of Qartaba themselves through their agents.

After the crisis that destroyed this manufacture, the Qartabians started working the land, especially in potatoes plantation which they got well renowned for having for having such a fine quality, that a good potato got to be called kartabawi potato where ever it came from.

the Qartabians started planting Apple trees especially in the high hills of the village where you can have the best and the most renowned as well.

In 1915, Qartaba had also its share of the famine that hit Lebanon, consequently an important number emigrated to the America's and reach to become more than the locals themselves, where many of them did also get important ranks and positions in the foreign lands.