Exports grew 0.17 percent to $3.5 billion in 2009 while imports grew 0.6 percent to $16.2 billion.

Switzerland was Lebanon’s largest importing partner as it imported 22 percent of total local goods, followed by the United Arab Emirates which imported 10 percent of Lebanese exports and Iraq at 8 percent.

Pearls, precious or semiprecious stones, were the most exported goods at 32 percent, followed by machinery equipment (15 percent), and base metals (9 percent).

The United States was the largest export partner to Lebanon, exporting 11 percent of total goods imported in 2009. It was followed with France at ten percent and China at nine percent.

Mineral products represented the bulk of items imported in 2009 at 20 percent, followed by transportation equipments at 15 percent, and machinery and mechanical appliances at 12 percent.