BEIRUT: Lebanese exports dropped by 0.24 percent in the first quarter of 2011 amounting to $790 million, compared to $792 million in the same period last year, according to the Industry Ministry's quarterly report.
The report, released Friday, showed that pearls, precious stones and precious metals topped Lebanon's exports at $165.9 million between January and April, marking an increase in export of the goods compared to last year.
Food products and metal exports also increased, while machinery, electrical appliances, paper and cardboard exports declined.
The United Arab Emirates received the largest share of pearls, precious stones and precious metals exports in terms of value, at $52.8 million, while Turkey’s metal imports amounted to $146.9 million, representing the largest shares of that product.
The report also revealed that Arab countries were the primary market for Lebanese industrial exports, representing $245.9 million or 43.8 percent of total industrial exports, while European countries were second with 19.7 percent.