Exporting

All the tools and resources you need to export your goods across the world

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade. The country's 1975-90 civil war that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has historically influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria

Natural Resources

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land

Population - distribution

the majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density

4125247
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
BEIRUT (capital) 2.226 million (2015)
Conventional long form
Lebanese Republic
Conventional short form
Lebanon
Local long form
Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
Local short form
Lubnan
parliamentary republic
Name
Beirut
Geographic coordinates
33 52 N, 35 30 E
Time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism.
Inflation
-0.815%
External debt stocks
US$ 30,895,977,000
Total tax rate (% of commercial profits)
30.3%
Real Interest Rate
9.214%
Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP)
5.198%
Current Account Balance
US$ -8,145,515,688
Labor Force, Total
2,164,989
Employment in Agriculture
6.30%
Employment in Industry
21%
Employment in Services
72.60%
Unemployment Rate
6.78%
Imports of goods and services
US$ 31,599,116,561
Exports of goods and services
US$ 25,903,891,468
Total Merchandise Trade
48.14%
FDI, net inflows
US$ 2,341,880,814
Commercial Service Exports
US$ 15,583,970,984
citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats
banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating
Commodities
jewelry, base metals, chemicals, consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Partners
Saudi Arabia 12.1%, UAE 10.6%, Iraq 7.6%, Syria 7.1%, South Africa 6.6% (2015)
Commodities
petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals
Partners
China 11.5%, Italy 7.1%, Germany 6.8%, France 6%, US 5.7%, Russia 4.6%, Greece 4.4% (2015)
Country Risk Rating
C
A very uncertain political and economic outlook and a business environment with many troublesome weaknesses can have a significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is high.
Business Climate Rating
C
The business environment is difficult. Corporate financial information is often unavailable and when available often unreliable. Debt collection is unpredictable. The institutional framework has many troublesome weaknesses. Intercompany transactions run major risks in the difficult environments rated C.
  • Robust banking system
  • Financial support from the diaspora and the international community and strong potential for recovery
  • Discovery of offshore natural gas deposit
  • Political divisions along sectarian lines and significant differences of political opinion over the Syrian issue
  • Major exposure to regional geopolitical trends
  • Very high level of public debt

Our site saves small pieces of text information (cookies) on your device in order to deliver better content and for statistical purposes. By browsing our website you grant us permission to store that information on your device. For more information check our Terms and Conditions.