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Lebanon's central bank opens lines of credit to facilitate wheat imports

Lebanon's central bank opens lines of credit to facilitate wheat imports

Industry Minister Georges Bouchikian. (NNA)

BEIRUT – Industry Minister Georges Bouchikian said Monday that Banque du Liban has opened lines of credit for wheat imports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lebanon imports 60 percent of its grain needs for bread manufacturing from Ukraine, Russia and Romania.

Here’s what we know:

    • “BDL has opened lines of credit to import wheat,” VDL 93.3 radio station quoted Bouchikian as saying Monday, adding that “the available stock is enough for a month and a half.” The minister said that “four shipments [of wheat are en route to] Lebanon” and that efforts are underway to “implement a strategic plan to begin a period of rationing.”

    • Bouchikian said Saturday that flour deliveries will be limited to bakeries that produce Arabic bread, “until additional quantities of wheat reach Lebanon.”

    • “We are communicating with Australia, the United States and Canada to send [shipments of] wheat to Lebanon,” he said, adding that “the government will seek to ban the export of goods used in the production of vegetable oils … Efforts are underway to ensure the stockpile of grains produced in Lebanon.”

BEIRUT – Industry Minister Georges Bouchikian said Monday that Banque du Liban has opened lines of credit for wheat imports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lebanon imports 60 percent of its grain needs for bread manufacturing from Ukraine, Russia and Romania.Here’s what we know:    • “BDL has opened lines of credit to import wheat,” VDL 93.3 radio station quoted...