BEIRUT, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Mansour Bteish on Thursday called on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in productive sectors in Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.

"UAE's investment in productive sectors will contribute to creating job opportunities in the country while increasing exports from Lebanon," Bteish said during his meeting with the Emirati Ambassador to Lebanon Hamad Saeed Al Shamsi.

Lebanon is suffering from a deteriorated economy and Lebanese President Michel Aoun said last year that the unemployment rate in Lebanon has soared to a staggering 46 percent while attributing the high figure to the "grave economic situation and presence of Syrian refugees."

Moreover, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International reported earlier this year that around 4,700 young people immigrate abroad on a monthly basis since the beginning of 2019 in search for better opportunities outside Lebanon.

The country needs to attract investments in its productive sectors in a bid to create growth and more job opportunities for the youths.

The two officials have also discussed bilateral ties and ways of boosting economic and trade relations.