Hajj Hassan calls for easier EU procedures for Lebanese exports

The Minister of Industry, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, disclosed yesterday that a debate is currently underway to review the partnership agreement with the European Union based on the principles of friendship and Lebanon’s economic interest. Hajj Hassan was speaking during a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, Christina Lassen, and a delegation of the European Commission visiting Lebanon to discuss the initial report by his ministry, in cooperation with other competent ministries and departments, on the evaluation of said agreement. The minister pointed out that the country is witnessing a drastic economic crisis that was aggravated with the Syrian refugee problem that caused the country losses reaching nearly USD 10 billion in the past few years according to World Bank figures. Hajj Hassan, while lamenting that the received aid and loans to alleviate the burden of the refugees do not exceed USD 2 billion, said he was disappointed from the partnership agreement which was expected “to boost exports but which did not happen.” “Lebanon does not demand that the EU accept to import products that are not up to the standards,” he said, adding that neither Lebanon “approves a production that does not observe the international and Lebanese specifications.” However, he noted that a key solution for redressing the present unfavorable social and economic situation lies in achieving higher exports, particularly to Europe, and in the facilitation and acceleration of the process involved. Lebanon, the minister maintained, seeks an increase in exports of certain sectors, such as technology, clothing, food and medicine products. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, October 26, 2016)