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Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment

1-Commercial Sectors:

Automotive (AUT)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (to Aug 31)
Total Market Size 709 929 1,118
Total Local Production 0 0 0
Total Exports 25 29 20
Total Imports 734 958 1,138
Imports from the U.S. 98 157 202

(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 has witnessed an increase of 20 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, with a total import value of $1,138 million. U.S. market share was expected to reach 17 percent in 2008.

Best Products/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.

Air Conditioning / Refrigeration Equipment (ACR)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (to Aug 31)
Total Market Size 870 1,048 898
Total Local Production 80 82 78
Total Exports 334 459 338
Total Imports 1,124 1,425 1,208
Imports from the U.S. 98 144 111

(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 has witnessed a growth of 28 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, with a total import value of $1,208 million. U.S. air conditioning and refrigeration exports to Lebanon reached $111 million in first eight months of 2008, and U.S. market share was expected to reach ten percent in 2008.

Best Prospects/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 

Web Resources

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


Drugs / Pharmaceuticals (DRG)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (to Aug 31)
Total Market Size 518 614 552
Total Local Production 15 17 16
Total Exports 8 11 9
Total Imports 511 608 545
Imports from the U.S. 38 44 35

(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 $545 million in the first eight months of 2008. Since, the local pharmaceutical industry is weak, imports constitute over 95 percent of the total available in the market. U.S. products account for about six percent 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 showcased a 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


Medical Equipment (MED)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (to Aug 31)
Total Market Size 150 151 120
Total Local Production 1 1 1
Total Exports 8 9 7
Total Imports 157 159 126
Imports from the U.S. 42 38 34

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

Lebanon’s market for medical equipment has witnessed a growth of 20 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, with a total import value of $126 million. This growth can be attributed to the weakness of the dollar in relation to Euro. U.S. medical exports reached $34 million in the first eight months of 2008, and U.S. market share was expected to reach 27 percent in 2008.

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 showcased a 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 medical equipment, please email Naaman Tayyar.


Apparel (APP)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (to Aug 31)
Total Market Size 412 428 342
Total Local Production 200 210 140
Total Exports 60 67 54
Total Imports 272 285 256
Imports from the U.S. 7 6 7

(Figures are in millions of dollars and based on Lebanese Customs statistics – Section 11 / Chapters 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 around seven million dollars in the first eight months of 2008, constituting around three percent of total apparel imports to Lebanon. Many U.S. brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Seven Jeans, Rock and Republic 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 showcased an apparel 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 apparel, please email Naaman Tayyar.


Education Services (EDS)

Overview

Year 2006 2007 2008 (estimated)
Total Market Size 125 125 125
Total Lebanese Students 124 124 124
Total Foreign Students in Lebanon 1 1 1
Total Lebanese Students Abroad 3 3 3
Lebanese Students in the U.S. 2 2 2

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

Lebanon has one of the best educational systems in the Middle East. There are currently 125,000 students enrolled in universities throughout Lebanon and over 2,100 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 percent of the Lebanese market. The U.S. franchise Berlitz, which provides language training, has approximately ten percent of the market.

Web Resources

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


Agricultural Sectors

According to Lebanese Customs statistics (chapters 1-24), Lebanon’s total agricultural imports reached $1,688 million in the first eight months of 2008. Out of which, $148 million, equivalent to 8.7 percent, are from the U.S. Major U.S. agricultural exports to Lebanon include dairy products, cereals, beverages and spirits and tobacco.

Web Resources

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

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