IDAL co-organized with the Embassy of Netherlands and the Lebanese Dutch Business Association a technical workshop on “How to Do Business in the EU and the Netherlands”. The workshop was held at the Movenpick Hotel – Beirut on April 7th, 2016.

The event was packed with investors, exporters, and entrepreneurs discussing the business opportunities in the Agriculture, Agri-food and Industrial sectors between Lebanon and the EU countries.

60 representatives from different Lebanese companies, establishments, and ministries took part in the event. The event was organized to support Lebanese exporters’ access to new markets and expand their businesses.

Mr Hans Verhulst and Mr Ari Bijil provided the attendees – through presentations, cases studies, and success stories – with detailed information on the EU standards and requirements and how the Lebanese products could have a competitive edge there.

IDAL distributed a survey on the attendees to collect information about the ability of the companies to export and enter these markets as well as what products are currently exported to Europe and the Netherlands and to check what are the attendees’/ companies needs regarding these markets (standards, requirements, documents, importers…). 46.7% of the attendees filled out these surveys, and the majority stated their willingness to enter the European market.

20% of the agricultural exporters who attended the workshop have been exporting to Europe, compared to 37.5% of the agro-food exporters and 22.2% of the industrial exporters. The main exported products were:

Agriculture products: Malus; Citrus; Grapes; Potatoes; Onions; Flowers and Plants.

Agro-food products: Olive Oil; Thyme; Oregano and Alcoholic Beverages.

Industrial products: Paint; Copper and Metal Valves.