According to Banque Du Liban statistics, opened letters of credit (L/Cs), a measurement tool for trade activity, fell by 7.76% during the month of April 2026 to reach LBP 495.50 billion ($5.54 million), down from LBP 537.20 billion a month earlier. On an annual basis, however, the face value of opened L/Cs reached LBP 4,084.20 billion (around $45.63 million) during the first four months of 2026 compared to LBP 2,349.60 billion in the same period in 2025.

Documentary L/Cs opened to finance imports activities reached LBP 1,444.50 billion ($16.14 million) YTD April 2026, compared to LBP 1,606.50 billion in the same period in 2025. On the other hand, utilized credits for imports came in higher at LBP 2,102.40 billion ($23.49 million) with inward bills for collection, another documentary credit form of financing (backed by invoices), rising by 11.83% to LBP 7,899.10 billion ($88.26 million) YTD April of the current year, from LBP 7,063.30 billion in the same period of the previous year.

In a related note, documentary L/Cs opened to finance exports activities rose to LBP 2,639.70 billion ($29.49 million) in the first four months of 2026, up from LBP 743.10 billion in the same period in 2025. Conversely, utilized credits to finance exports decreased to LBP 789.90 billion ($8.83 million; 29.92% of opened L/Cs for exports). In parallel, the value of outward bills rose to LBP 6,954.60 billion ($77.71 million) YTD April 2026, while outstanding bills for collection sank to LBP 8,548.50 billion ($95.51 million), from LBP 9,845.10 billion in the first four months of 2025.