Al-Hoss meets with US trade official

U.S. Deputy Trade Secretary for the Middle East, Molly Williamson, along with U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield met yesterday with Lebanese Prime Minster Salim al-Hoss. Bilateral relations and trade exchange between Lebanon and the U.S. highlighted the discussions.

Upon emerging, the senior U.S. official, Williamson, told newsmen about the significance of trade and economic exchange between Lebanon and U.S., pointing to the fact that this would lay the bases for annual exchange, worth half a billion U.S. dollars.

Williamson went on to say that she favored full economic partnership with Lebanon.

Asked about the present status of the Lebanese economy, she indicated that the Lebanese government and administration were determined to face up to all financial problems involved and that the Lebanese were intent on gaining the trust of U.S. business community. About the One stop Shop impact, on the firm Idal, she said in the event of problems facing the Lebanese company, the U.S. would act favorably, by extending needed assistance and loans, the Lebanese National News Agency reported.