Syria blocks Lebanese exports with serious implications on the productive sectors in Lebanon

As Safir newspaper published a report regarding the halting of Lebanese exports into Syria as per the recent decision taken by the Syrian side.  According to farmers, the Syrian authorities have also suspended imports of Lebanese potatoes in addition to all other products.  A reminder that Lebanese exports to Syria needs official approval by the Syrian authorities, an approval which has been suspended during the past three days.
As such, Lebanese banana growers exporting to Syria held a press conference at the banana packaging centre in Adloun attended by a number of banana farners from South Lebanon.  During the meeting, participants called on the Lebanese authorities to support Lebanese farmers.  They also called on the Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, to intervene urgently to open the borders between the two countries because their produce cannot be absorbed except through exporting to Syria.  The president of the farmers’ association, Antoine Hoayek, noted that the Arab trade agreement of 2005 has liberated trade between Lebanon and Arab countries and, thus, Lebanese bananas were to be exported to Syria without impediment with 60% of Lebanese banana produce being exported to Syria.  
According to its sources, As Safir newspaper notes that high level negotiations are taking place between the two sides to ensure that the Syrian prohibition of importing goods from Arab countries does not include Lebanon with addendum ensuring that the ban is just on luxury goods.

(SOURCE: Assafir and Annahar 29 November 2014)