BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service

Lebanon Local time: 04:15 PM

Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment

 1-Commercial Sectors:

Air Conditioning /Refrigeration Equipment (ACR)

Overview

Year 2007 2008 2009 (to Oct 31)
Total Market Size 1,048 1,234 1,269
Total Local Production 82 82 80
Total Exports 459 536 420
Total Imports 1,424 1,688 1,609
Imports from the U.S. 144 149 210

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics - Section 16 / Chapter 84-85)

Lebanon’s market for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment witnessed a growth of 23% in the first 10 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, with a total import value of $1,609 million. U.S. air conditioning and refrigeration exports to Lebanon reached $210 million in the first 10 months of 2009, and U.S. market share is expected to reach 16% in 2009.

Best Products/Services

U.S. products have an advantage over European products in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector due to their high quality and heavy-duty performance. Moreover, demand for U.S. products is increasing due to the weakness of the dollar in relation to Euro.

Opportunities

The U.S. Commercial Service organizes Made in America, an annual trade fair for U.S. products and services, in Beirut, Lebanon. Made in America showcases an air conditioning and refrigeration section. For more information, you can go to http://www.buyusa.gov/lebanon/en/madeinamerica_.html .

Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for air conditioning and refrigeration, please email Naaman Tayyar.

Apparel (APP)

Overview

Year 2007 2008 2009 (to Oct 31)
Total Market Size 428 506 461
Total Local Production 210 210 175
Total Exports 67 63 52
Total Imports 285 359 338
Imports from the U.S. 6 9 9

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics - Section 11 / Chapter 61,62)

Lebanon attracts a large number of Arab tourists every year who significantly boost retail activity in Lebanon, resulting in steady growth in the apparel sector. U.S. apparel exports to Lebanon reached 9 million dollars in the first 10 months of 2009, constituting around 3% of total apparel imports to Lebanon. Many U.S. brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Marc Jacobs, Seven Jeans, Rock and Republic Jeans, Citizens of Humanity Jeans, True Religion Jeans, Polo and Ralph Lauren are very popular in the Lebanese market.

Best Prospects/Services

The trend in Lebanon is moving from high-end haute couture to casual wear. Most Lebanese consider U.S. brands to be the leader in casual wear. Thus, demand for U.S. apparel has been increasing steadily. Lebanese buyers regularly travel to Magic Apparel Show in Las Vegas and Coterie Show in New York to explore the latest trends in the U.S. fashion industry.

Opportunities

The U.S. Commercial Service organizes Made in America, an annual trade fair for U.S. products and services, in Beirut, Lebanon. Made in America showcases an apparel section. For more information, you can go to http://www.buyusa.gov/lebanon/en/madeinamerica_.html . 

Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for Apparel, please email Naaman Tayyar.


Automotive (AUT)

Overview

Year 2007 2008 2009 (to Oct 31)
Total Market Size 929 1,638 1,528
Total Local Production 0 0 0
Total Exports 29 49 80
Total Imports 958 1,687 1,608
Imports from the U.S. 155 279 249

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics – Section 17 – Chapter 87)

The Lebanese market of approximately 1.7 million vehicles witnessed an increase of 12% in the first 10 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, with a total import value of $1,608 million. U.S. market share is expected to reach 16% in 2009.

Best Prospects/Services

Demand for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in Lebanon has been growing. According to private sector sources, around ten percent of cars imported into Lebanon are SUVs. This percentage is expected to increase due to their heavy duty performance and poor road conditions throughout the country. Lebanese buy American SUVs because of their competitive price, high quality, and long record of success in the market. Moreover, demand for U.S. automotive products such as brakes, clutches, engine lubricants, and safety accessories are increasing, because they have demonstrated a quality advantage over foreign competitors.

Opportunities

The Lebanese Car Importers Association co-organizes the Motor Show, a bi-annual trade fair for the automotive industry in Lebanon. The Motor Show presents significant opportunities for U.S. companies to introduce their products and services to the Lebanese market. For more information, you can go to http://www.promofair.com.lb

The U.S. Commercial Service organizes Made in America, an annual trade fair for U.S. products and services, in Beirut, Lebanon. Made in America showcases an automotive section. For more information, you can go to http://www.buyusa.gov/lebanon/en/madeinamerica_.html

Web Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for automotive, please email Naaman Tayyar


Drugs/Pharmaceuticals (DRG)

Overview

Year 2007 2008 2009 (to Oct 31)
Total Market Size 614 693 632
Total Local Production 17 17 16
Total Exports 11 16 13
Total Imports 608 692 629
Imports from the U.S. 44 48 47

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics – Section 6 / Chapter 30)

Lebanon is the leading importer of pharmaceutical drugs in the Levant with over 50 pharmaceutical importers. Total pharmaceutical imports to Lebanon reached $629 million in the 10 months of 2009. Since, the local pharmaceutical industry is weak, imports constitute over 95% of the total available in the market. U.S. products account for about 7% of total imports.

Best Prospects/Services

U.S. products have an advantage over European products in biotechnology, high-tech, anti-cancer, and cardiovascular fields. Moreover, any new leading American drug that is not yet manufactured in Europe is well received in Lebanon.

Opportunities

The U.S. Commercial Service organizes Made in America, an annual trade fair for U.S. products and services, in Beirut, Lebanon. Made in America showcases a large pharmaceutical section. For more information, you can go to http://www.buyusa.gov/lebanon/en/madeinamerica_.html

Web Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for drugs and pharmaceuticals, please email Naaman Tayyar


Education Services (EDS)

Overview

Year 2006/2007 2007/2008
Total Market Size 160,364 160,364
Total Lebanese Students enrolled in Universities 139,025 139,025
Total Foreign Students in Lebanon 21,339 21,339
Total Lebanese Students Abroad 3,000 3,000
Lebanese Students in the U.S. 1,852 1,807

(Figures are in thousands of students and based on AMIDEAST and Ministry of Education statistics)

Lebanon has one of the best educational systems in the Middle East. There are currently 160,364 students enrolled in public and private universities throughout Lebanon and over 1,800 Lebanese students currently studying in the U.S.

Best Prospects/Services

Demand for graduate studies in the U.S. has been increasing, especially in the fields of business, computer science, engineering, medicine and fine arts.

U.S. educational franchises are doing well in Lebanon. The U.S. franchise New Horizon, which provides computer training, has over 45% of the Lebanese market. The U.S. franchise Berlitz, which provides language training, has approximately 10% of the market.

Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for education, please email Maya Barhouche.


Medical Equipment (MED)

Overview

Year 2007 2008 2009 (to Oct 31)
Total Market Size 151 168 167
Total Local Production 1 1 1
Total Exports 9 8 8
Total Imports 159 175 174
Imports from the U.S. 38 46 43

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics – Section 18 / Chapter 90)

Lebanon’s market for medical equipment witnessed growth of 19% in the first 10 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, with a total import value of $174 million. This growth can be attributed to the weakness of the dollar in relation to Euro. U.S. medical exports reached $43 million in the first 10 months of 2008, and U.S. market share is expected to reach 24% in 2009.

Best Prospects/Services

U.S. products have an advantage over European products in the medical sector due to their high quality and long record of success in the Lebanese market. Moreover, demand for these products is increasing due to the weakness of the dollar in relation to Euro.

Opportunities

Lebanon is an ideal location for establishing a regional office to cover the Levant, including Iraq. The Lebanese market has been used as a platform for testing U.S. products prior to introducing them to the rest of the Levant market. Opportunities to form partnerships with local companies are available in the medical and healthcare sectors.

The U.S. Commercial Service organizes Made in America, an annual trade fair for U.S. products and services, in Beirut, Lebanon. Made in America showcases a pharmaceutical section. For more information, you can go to http://www.buyusa.gov/lebanon/en/madeinamerica_.html

Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for medical equipment, please email Naaman Tayyar.


Agricultural Sectors

According to Lebanese Customs statistics (chapters 1-24), Lebanon’s total agricultural imports reached $2.023 billion in the first 10 months of 2009. Out of which, $121 million, equivalent to 6%, are from the U.S. Major U.S. agricultural exports to Lebanon include dairy products, cereals, beverages and spirits and tobacco

Resources

For additional information on Lebanon’s market for the agricultural sectors, please email Naaman Tayyar.

- Back