Belarus and Lebanon have a great potential for developing mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, Trade Minister of Belarus Valentin Chekanov said as he received a Lebanese delegation on 14 April.

The delegation includes Minister of State of the Lebanese Republic Adnan Kassar, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud and Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan. The visit of the high-profile officials is timed to the opening of the first national exhibition of Lebanese products in Minsk. The guests expressed their gratitude for an opportunity to show their country to Belarusians and readiness to host a Belarusian exhibition.

The parties expressed their dissatisfaction with the existing $100 million of the trade turnover between the states. Adnan Kassar suggested setting a goal of $1 billion. Valentin Chekanov upheld the idea and emphasized that a lot still has to be done to achieve that. The parties pledged to do their best to make the trade and economic cooperation as open and reliable as Belarus-Lebanon political cooperation.

The exhibition welcomed heads of the organizations and companies affiliated with the Trade Ministry of Belarus.

In 2009, the trade between Belarus and Lebanon rose more than 7 times over 2008 to reach $104.2 million. Belarus’ export made up $103.4 million (up 9.5 times) of which the bulk accounted for metal products ($103 million), milk powder, tires, timber, bearings and printed goods. Belarus posted a trade surplus of $102.5 million. The major imports from Lebanon include tobacco raw materials, fruit and vegetables, rubber goods, spare parts to automotive engineering and combustion engines.

The Lebanese exhibition will stay open till 17 April.

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