Bilateral trade between Lebanon and Syria reached $363 million in 2001, a 17 percent increase compared to $309 million earned in the previous year, reported NNA. Lebanon's imports from Syria increased from $283 million in 2000 to $328 million in 2001. Among the products imported were oil, salt, cement, stone, sulfur and phosphate. Lebanon’s exports to Syria increased by 36 percent from $26 million to $35 million during the same period. Syria imports mainly agricultural products from Lebanon.
The Syrian-Lebanese high committee is discussing the possibility of unifying the two countries’ customs tariffs by 2007. The future customs wall would create a single tax imposed on goods imported from other countries, reported Tishrin. The possibility of developing a joint customs authority at the border is also up for discussion. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
