2,000 active exporters!

Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria top importers

The value of exports reached $2.93 billion in 2013, up by 2.6 percent, compared to the year before, according to certificate of origin figures released by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML).

Statistics related to local exports are issued by the Customs Bureau, Ministry of Industry, and Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. Export statistics differ according to the source’s standards and criteria.

The number of certificates of origin approved by CCIA-BML totaled 31,818 referring to 1,934 exporting companies. Products of Lebanese origin were valued $1.68 billion, representing 57 percent of total exports. Products of other origins had a value of $1.25 billion.

The value of exports of Lebanese origin is in reality more than the stated value because some countries do not require a certificate of origin or because some products do not require the certificate, such as some agricultural products.

According to Customs figures, exports edged up to $3.94 billion, covering all CCIAs. The Beirut Mount Lebanon Chamber had the lion’s share with 78 percent of overall exports.

Arab countries were top importers of local products in terms of value, worth $2.51 billion, or 86 percent of overall exports, according to CCIA-BML. European countries came in second, importing 7.5 percent of goods.

According to these statistics, Iraq represented the most important market of exports depending on certificates of origin, forming 23 percent of the overall value. Electric equipment and machinery, metals, and chemical products have been the most exported to this country.

Saudi Arabia was the second top importing market, with 20 percent of the overall export value. Food products, plastics, and rubber were most requested by the country.

Coming in third is Syria, which represented ten percent. Paper, carton, and vegetable products are exported most to the country.