This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview
According to the Lebanese Customs Authority, Lebanon imported medical equipment valued at $366 million in 2018, of which $73 million, or 20 percent, was of U.S. origin.  Total medical equipment imports to Lebanon increased by 4 percent in 2018 compared to 2017.  Local experts expect medical equipment imports into Lebanon to increase in 2019, partly due to the growing pollution and the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, many of whom require medical assistance. 
Table 3: Medical Equipment Chart

 

2017

2018

2019 (Estimate)

2020 (Projection)

Total Local Production

$1 million

$1 million

$1 million

$1 million

Total Exports

$18 million

$17 million

$18 million

$18 million

Total Imports

$352 million

$366 million

$378 million

$378 million

Imports from the U.S.

$74 million

$73 million

$84 million

$84 million

Total Market Size

$335 million

$350 million

$361 million

$361 million

Exchange Rates

LBP1507.5

LBP1507.5

LBP1507.5

LBP1507.5

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)

Units: $ U.S. Dollars, LBP Lebanese Pounds

Source: Lebanese Customs statistics – Section 18

Leading Sub-Sectors
According to local experts, U.S. medical equipment products are characterized by their high quality and competitive value.

Opportunities
Lebanon is an ideal location to establish a regional office to cover the Levant, including Iraq.  The Lebanese market has traditionally been used as a platform for testing U.S. products prior to introducing them to the rest of the Levant market. 
The U.S. Commercial Service provides a wide range of services including, Gold Key Service (GKS) and International Partnership Search (IPS), which help U.S. companies explore opportunities in Lebanon.

Web Resources

Ministry of Public Health

Lebanese Customs Administration

U.S. Commercial Service

Contact for the Commercial Section that covers the medical equipment sector: Naaman Tayyar, Head of Commercial Section, Email: Naaman.Tayyar@trade.gov.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.