USAID Launches Initiative to Increase Lebanese Wine Exports to U.S. 

The Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) activity, funded by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched an export promotion initiative to assist 15 Lebanese wineries to conform with regulatory and market requirements to export wines to the state of Texas in the United States.

The launch event, entitled “Wine from Lebanon: Exporting Lebanese Wine to the United States”, was held in the presence of USAID Lebanon Mission Director Eileen Devitt, the Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam, representatives of the 15 wineries, and other stakeholders in the wine industry. 

Under this initiative, USAID will assist these wineries meet U.S. product requirements, obtain legal permits, and build brand awareness to position and place Lebanese wine in leading retail outlets. 

In his opening remarks, Minister Salam stressed the importance of USAID’s financial and technical assistance to sustain and grow the country’s productive economic sectors.

He stated: “The Ministry is committed to lead the recovery process of Lebanon’s economy and we’re currently focusing our efforts on increasing the export value of Lebanese goods and services by supporting the formation of local economic clusters in key industries and subsectors.” 

He closed by emphasizing that the Ministry applauds activities, such as those from USAID, that align with the Ministry’s economic recovery plan. “We fully support cooperation between Lebanese ministries and bi- and multilateral donors that benefit our country and citizens struggling through these challenging economic times.”

In her remarks, USAID Lebanon Mission Director Eileen Devitt stated, “Through our joint efforts, we expect to generate $5.5 million of new sales in foreign currency to sustain operations over the next three years and create at least 100 new jobs, which is much needed during the current economic conditions.”

“Most importantly, this effort will result in a positive effect for the entire wine sub-sector, as well as the agro-food sector, since it will open the door for other Lebanese wineries, and agro-food processors to expand into export markets,” Devitt added.

TIF and its U.S.-based partner, Maden Lebanon S.A.R.L., plan to include more Lebanese wineries in this initiative after establishing market linkages to the annual $2.6 billion Texan wine market.

USAID’s TIF project is designed to enhance economic opportunities in Lebanon by facilitating trade and investment in targeted business sectors, resulting in job creation and increased incomes for Lebanese citizens, with a strong emphasis on exports and enhancing women’s workforce participation. 

TIF works towards increasing the exports of Lebanese goods and services, facilitating investment opportunities, and improving the business and investment enabling environment (BIEE) in Lebanon.