OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2011. In the framework of the second session of the Ukrainian-Lebanese commission for trade and economic cooperation co-chair of this bilateral body Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Anatoliy Blyznyuk and the Minister of Economy and Trade of Lebanon Nicolas Nahas opened the first Ukrainian-Lebanese business forum.

"This extraordinary event in our trade and economic relations means that the phase of familiarity is over and begins concrete action. Evidence of mutual interest parties in a constructive co-operation is quite a large delegation of Ukrainian businessmen. The main task for the future by Council resolution which we have met in this hall, is to increase bilateral trade and investment in our countries", - Anatoly Blyznyuk said opening the event.

He said the Lebanese Republic was and remains for a reliable trade partner of Ukraine. The Lebanese market remains promising for Ukrainian products and is a "gateway" to the Middle East, which clearly shows a steady growth of foreign economic indicators in recent years. According to the Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services, this meeting would allow the businesses of both countries to identify areas of mutual interest and discuss prospects for future cooperation. This should significantly help businesses establish a mutually beneficial solution, elaborated by the commission.

"Business Forum is a good chance to establish new contacts and develop existing contacts, to recommend the Commission to identify promising directions on which we will work to the next joint meeting. I am confident that the results of the Ukrainian and Lebanese business community will find promising new areas of cooperation, significantly expand the circle of mutual interests and much more intensively develop existing projects", - Anatoliy Blyznyuk said.

Reference.
 
The volume of trade turnover between Ukraine and Lebanon is growing and for 10 months of this year has already exceeded USD 1 billion and a half times more for the same period last year. More than 95% of Ukrainian exports are steel and grain. Middle Eastern country has invested in Ukraine's economy about USD 20 million including more than USD 11 million  in agriculture and forestry.