MOSCOW
(Sputnik) — Lebanon is hoping to boost its trade with Russia threefold
to some $1.5 billion within two to three years by increasing exports,
Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Raed Khoury told Sputnik
on Wednesday. “Now, the trade is around $500 million
on Russia’s side and Lebanon $10 or $20 million. It makes me happy if we
go to eventually in 2-3 years to around $1.5 billion and Lebanon
[exports] go to around $700 million for our products,” Khoury said
on the sidelines of a business summit hosted by the Russian-Lebanese
Business Committee in Moscow. He explained that Beirut would like to boost its exports of agricultural products, such as olive oil and juices. “If we reach this figure and we will try
to work to have this figure in front of us — we’ll be very happy,” the
economy minister added.

Russia’s
embargo on EU imports imposed in 2014 briefly increased trade relations
between the two countries. However, the bilateral trade volumes have
since been dropping, amounting to some $540 million last year, compared
to $800 million in 2014, according to the Russian Federal Customs
Service data. The minister explained the drop by the recent dip in energy prices,
with oil and gas making up much of bilateral trade, as well as the
political turmoil in Lebanon which left the country in paralysis with no
president for two years. The impasse ended in late 2016 with Michel Aoun becoming the new president.

“The reason for [the drop in value of the total
trade turnover] is two things. First, 70 percent of this amount comes
from importation of fuel, gas and oil. The prices went down, as you
know, so the value went down, although the amount has not gone down. So
this is the first reason- because the price of oil went down. The second
reason is because Lebanon’s GDP has not been increasing lately because
of the socio-political events,” Khoury explained.

Russia sold over $528 million worth of export to Lebanon last year,
40 percent of this oil and gas and another 40 percent coming
from agricultural products, according to the Customs Service data. The
export structure changed in favor of agricultural products compared
to the year before, with their share rising from under 15 percent. The
share of energy fell from almost 75 percent seen in 2015. Lebanon sold
over $11 million worth of export to Russia in 2016, most of this
agricultural products and chemicals.

Lebanon Seeks Technology Knowledge Exchange, Pharmacy Investments From Russia

Beirut would like to sign bilateral agreements on the exchange
of technology knowledge with Moscow and also hopes for Russia’s
investments in pharmaceuticals industry.

“We would like to have mutual agreements
in transport of technology knowledge between the two countries. We would
like [Russia] to invest in our pharmaceutical products as well,” Khoury
told Sputnik.

He added that the tourism industry and attracting Russian visitors
to Lebanon were also on the agenda for Lebanon’s relations with Moscow.

“In terms of products, we are looking
for Russian tourism. We would like to see Russian tourists come
to Lebanon, they are most welcome. Lebanon is a very important tourist
destination with many advantages in the region” Khoury said.

The economic minister also emphasized the importance of mutual investments, especially in the banking sector.

Lebanon Wants to See Russia in Mediterranean Offshore Gas Licensing Auction

Lebanon wants Russian companies to place their bids for Mediterranean
oil and gas production as the country auctions its offshore blocks,
Khoury told Sputnik.

Lebanon launched its first oil and gas production licensing auction
in January, opening five of ten of its Mediterranean blocks up for
international bids.

“We have now discovered gas in Lebanon and we
would like for Russia to have a play there in the region, in our
country… We would like Russia to participate in the bidding process,”
Khoury said.

He added that projects in fields of electricity, power, oil and gas were important for Lebanon’s cooperation with Russia.

“In Lebanon, we are doing bids
for reconstruction of big factories of energy, so we would like Russia
to be involved to be part of this bidding process. If they win, I’ll be
very happy,” Khoury noted.

The bidding for rebuilding of energy factories across Lebanon is set
to start later this year, according to the economy minister.

Lebanon, together with Israel, Cyprus and Egypt, sits on the Levant
Basin in the eastern Mediterranean, where new gas fields have been
revealed in 2009. Lebanese exploration has been delayed since then due
to political paralysis that left the country without a president for two
years. The standoff was finally resolved last year when Michel Aoun
became president. Two Lebanese offshore blocks now lie within a triangle
of maritime territory claimed by Israel.

Khoury Hopes Aoun, Putin to Meet Soon to Boost Ties

Khoury told Sputnik that he hoped President Michel Aoun would visit
Moscow soon to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to bolster
economic ties between the two countries.

“We hope that Mr. Putin and Mr. Aoun will meet
in the near future to confirm this [Russian-Lebanese] economic
partnership and to develop this strategic relation,” Khoury said.

The minister added that after returning to Lebanon he would meet
with Aoun to update him on the Moscow visit and discuss the potential
meeting between the two presidents.

“The president has strong feelings and
relations towards Russia and he always expresses this in public. I will
ask him about this potential visit which I think he is either [already]
preparing for it or he will prepare for it, definitely,” the economy
minister said.

Beirut’s trade turnover with Moscow has suffered from falling oil
prices in recent years, totaling approximately $540 million last year,
compared to $800 million in 2014, according to the Russian Federal
Customs Service data. However, bilateral trade showed an upward economic
trend in January, partly due to the recovery of oil prices.

Khoury Hopes Moscow Visit to Put Country in Focus for Syria Rebuilding

Khoury told Sputnik that his ongoing visit to Moscow would hopefully
help the country establish economic cooperation with Russia paving the
way for its involvement in rebuilding Syria.

The Lebanese delegation including Khoury, Minister of Industry
Hussein Hajj Hassan, Tourism Minister Avedis Guidanian arrived in Moscow
earlier in the day to participate in an inaugural Russian-Lebanese
business forum and to conduct high-level meetings with Russian
officials.

“I can see that the potential partnership
between the Lebanese and the Russian business people, especially not
only trade but investments in Lebanon in preparation for the
reconstruction of Syria is for me clear and makes perfect sense. So we
hope that this visit will initiate this economic relation,” Khoury said.

Lebanon has the biggest advantage in becoming a base for rebuilding
its war-torn neighbor due to its proximity and strong economy, the
minister emphasized.

“Lebanon could be one of the most strategic
economic partners with Russia for the Middle East and Africa.
Geographically it’s well placed, it has a free economic system and
stability and Lebanon has strong ties with all Arab regions, especially
Syria and Iraq and can play instrumental role in the redevelopment and
reconstruction of Syria and Iraq,” Khoury said.

The Syrian government has been looking into plans to start a massive
reconstruction program after the latest ceasefire deal in late 2016
as well as the government victory in Aleppo.
A plan to restore the ravaged city was drafted in January. The plan
includes work on utilities, industry, medical and educational
institutions as well as the strengthening of security.

Russian
Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in March that
various international organizations were showing interest in restoring
the monuments of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra destroyed by Daesh.

Since the beginning of the military crisis in Syria in 2011, Russia
has been supporting Damascus in the fight against terrorist groups and
providing Syrian civilians affected by the conflict with medical help
and regular humanitarian aid deliveries to help them survive until peace
is restored.