Export sector successful despite local, regional turbulences

In a feature highlighting the agricultural and industrial exports conditions in Lebanon, Al Diyar daily said the sector managed to overcome the difficulties challenging its progress, notably the local political instability and the closure of the borders as a result of the ongoing Syria war, in addition to the absence of government support. The newspaper noted that Lebanese exporters remained resolute and succeeded to a big extent, notwithstanding the relatively high cost they have paid and are still paying to achieve this. 

To shed more light on the subject, Al Diyar spoke to the chief of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, who boasted the steadfastness of the local industry and the flexibility of the Lebanese entrepreneurs in adapting and changing the course of exports. The World Bank report,he said, pointed out that "Lebanon was the only country in the region to prevail over the standard criterion representing developing states, as per the annual exports per company value and the diversity of exported products."

Gemayel stressed the need for a swift intervention by the government to salvage the situation, mainly concerning the industrial exports, which he pointed have declined by 6.9% in 2014. Meanwhile, he added, the industrialists grouping is doing its best to open new markets, particularly to Russia, Canada and Africa, besides planning programs that boost the export capacity of small and medium enterprises. (Al Diyar, October 26, 2015)