The considerable 25 percent in exports, which has outshined the ten percent rise in imports, has positively impacted the trade deficit, causing the slow- five percent- tide in the deficit, to nearly- $6.5 billion.

Imports totaled almost $nine billion, while exports stood at $two billion during the first six months of 2010, the report showed.

Switzerland, as always, was Lebanon’s top import-partner, and in first half it landed almost 15 percent of all imports, at $317 million, showed the monthly trade-report released by the Port’s Customs Department.

Arab Gulf country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), kept the second position among Lebanon’s importers, at a ten percent share, buying local products worth $212 million. Third country on the list was Arab country, Iraq which landed this leading position, after importing $132 million, worth of Lebanese goods in first half of the year.

On the exporters side, China and the USA were top trading partners to Lebanon.  China, which has been top exporter to Lebanon for years now, has exported $784 worth of goods to Lebanon, keeping a nine percent market share, tying with the USA, which had the same share at an overall balance of $742 million.

Both countries were followed by Italy, in third place, which has exported to Lebanon $686 million worth of goods, preserving an eight percent share.

For the period, Pearls and precious stones, were unsurprisingly, top exports of Lebanon, totaling $614 million, while base metals, were second largest exports in value at $239 million.

Top imported products were mineral products at a total value of $1.6 billion, followed by machinery and mechanical equipment imports at $1 billion, the report’s figures reveal.