June 13, 2011- The value of letters of credits opened to finance imports totaled $5.1 billion in 2010, an increase by 21 percent from $4.23 billion in 2009, according to figures released by the Central Bank.

Utilized credits for imports totaled $4.9 billion in 2010, an increase of around 21 percent from $4.1 billion in utilized credits in 2009.

Outstanding import credits totaled $937 million at the end of 2010 and $877 million at end-2009.

The cumulative value of inward bills for collection totaled $2.25 billion in 2010 compared to $1.92 billion in 2009. Outstanding bills for collection reached $153.6 million at end-2010 relative and $155.7 million at end-2009.

The value of documentary letters of credits opened to finance exports from Lebanon totaled $4.2 billion in 2010, an increase of around 26 percent from $3.3 billion in 2009.