Exports of Lebanese origin reached $134 million last year, down three percent from 2008, accounting to 85 percent of total exports. Exports of foreign origin reached $23.5 million, down 26 percent from 2008, accounting for the rest of exports.

Industrial exports reached $125 million, or 79 percent of total exports, followed by trade exports at $24 million accounting to 15 percent of the total, and agricultural exports at $8 million constituting five percent of the total balance.

Arab countries received the bulk of South Lebanon’s exports or 87.5 percent of the total purchasing $138 million worth of goods. Iraq was top Arab importer for the year, buying 26 percent of the total, followed by UAE which imported 22 percent of total South exports.

Exports to Africa came second accounting to five percent of the total. African countries imported $8.9 million worth of goods, with Nigeria being the top African exporter at two percent.

Europe was the third largest import partner to the South region last year, purchasing four percent of total goods or $6 million. Britain was the largest European importer at two percent.