Lebanon Trade Associations
Discover Lebanon’s trade associations supporting businesses across industries, fostering growth, collaboration, and international trade opportunities.
EU-Lebanon Association Agreement
Lebanon signed an Association Agreement with the EU in June 2002, which entered into force in April 2006. As a result, Lebanese industrial as well as most agricultural products benefit from free access to the EU market.
> ec.europa.eu/lebanon/
Trade picture
- Lebanon is the EU’s 61st biggest trade partner (2022).
- The EU is Lebanon’s biggest trade partner, accounting for 28.4% of its total trade in goods in 2022: 32% of Lebanon’s imports came from the EU and 12.4% of Lebanon’s exports went to the EU.
- Total trade in goods between the EU and Lebanon in 2022 amounted to €6.26 billion. The EU’s imports from Lebanon amounted to €0.6 billion and consisted mainly of crude materials (€0.2 billion, 33.8%), manufactured goods (€0.12 billion, 19.8%), and machinery and transport equipment (€0.12 billion, 12.2%). The EU’s exports to Lebanon were worth €5.66 billion and were dominated by fuel and mineral fuels (€2.82 billion, 50%), machinery and transport equipment (€0.61 billion, 10.9%), food and live animals (€0.58 billion, 10.2%) and chemicals (€0.56 billion, 9.9%).
- The Lebanese economy is based primarily on the service sector, which accounted for 76% of the country’s GDP in 2019, according to World Bank data. Two-way trade in services totalled €1.6 billion in 2021, with EU imports of services representing €0.6 billion and exports €1 billion. Construction, tourism, and financial services are the most prominent sectors among Lebanon’s exports and imports of commercial services.
In alphabetical order
American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Lebanon)
AmCham believes in the development of strong relations between Lebanon and the United States. It is proud to be part of the AmChams network affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, and a member of the Amcham MENA Council, as well as a successful entity with great relations with the Lebanese Professional Associations.
> amcham.org.lb
Association of Lebanese Industrialists
The Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), Established in 1942, is the main national association of manufacturing companies operating in Lebanon. It deals with both economic and social issues concerning business and advocates a policy of balanced industrial development for all Lebanese regions. The Association seeks to create and maintain an environment which is favorable to industrial investment, job creation, growth and development.
ALI represents Lebanese Industry and interprets the needs and recommendations of the industrial community in dealing with public institutions, including the Parliament, the Government, the Trade Unions and other organizations in Lebanon and abroad.
ALI participates actively in policy-making consultations on a very broad range of issues, including economic and social policy, labor legislation and industrial relations, social security and health care, taxation, policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, education, and research and technology, and the environment.
> ali.org.lb
Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML)
The Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML) is a non-profit private organization working for the public benefit.
Established in 1887, the CCIA-BML is the main among the four Lebanese Chambers that operate based on Decree Law 36/67 enacted in 1967. The Lebanese Chambers are the sole providers of consular services to members, which include certification of origin and authentication of commercial documents.
The membership roster of the Chamber includes around 15000 enterprises mostly located in the area of Beirut and Mount Lebanon where the major economic activity is concentrated.
> ccib.org.lb
Civil Society Knowledge Centre
Launched in 2013, with the support of the Norwegian Royal Embassy, the CSKC is the first and most developed online research and information platform for civil society organisations, professionals, academics, and activists in Lebanon. Composed of thematic projects combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, the CSKC constitutes a seminal and innovative knowledge base and publishing platform for original research and analysis on civil society work and issues and serves for civil society cooperation and collaboration. The CSKC makes available original research and analysis (papers, reports, etc.), interactive mappings, info-graphic visuals, and aggregated thematic libraries, among others.
> civilsociety-centre.org
EFTA/Lebanon
The EFTA States signed a Free Trade Agreement with Lebanon in Montreux, Switzerland, on 24 June 2004. The Agreement entered into force on 1 July 2007.
> efta.int/lebanon
Lebanese Franchise Association
The Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) was established in 2006 by a group of dynamic entrepreneurs in response to the needs of a fast growing franchise industry, with the mission to develop franchising in Lebanon, and to promote Lebanese franchises worldwide.
As the franchise sector grew, the LFA’s role in the national economy has expanded. The association now offers more services, publishes useful data and analysis, launches major in itiatives, organizes influential conferences, and speaks with a more authoritative voice about franchising, as well as national economic issues.
> lfalebanon.com