BEIRUT: The total number of Lebanese exports rose by 7.4 percent in the first eight months of 2011 to reach $2.35 billion compared to the same period last year, according to a report released Thursday by the Industry Ministry.

The report also said that Lebanese exports witnessed an increase of 39.1 percent compared to the same period in 2009.

The total number of imports from Lebanon registered an increase of 0.2 percent to reach $159 million compared to the same period last year and 14.3 percent compared to 2009.

The country’s top exports were precious metal, stones and pearls in August and constituted $99.3 million worth of total exports. South Africa came in as the top importing country of these goods.

Chemical industrial products were ranked as the second most common exported items, worth some $45.6 million of the total number of exports, with Bangladesh, India, being the main recipient.

Iraq was the largest importer of electronics and machinery, which ranked as the third most common items to be exported in 2011. However, the report said the export of these items had declined from $61 million in 2010 to $39.1 in 2011 as a result of a drop in imports from the U.A.E and Egypt.

As for ordinary metals, exports declined from $37 million in 2010 to $32.9 million in 2011 due to a decline in exports to Turkey. But exports to China and Spain have risen, the report added.

The study also said Arab countries were the top recipients of Lebanese industrial exports in August. These countries have imported $101.8 million, i.e., 32.7 percent of the total number of exports.

“Non-Arab African countries came in second; it imported 27.3 percent and then came European countries which imported 16.9 percent.”

Electronic equipment and machinery were the most exported products to Arab countries, worth some $17 million of total exports.

South Africa ranked first as the top importing country for industrial products, with $53 million of the total exports. Turkey came in second followed by the U.A.E.