Boosting agricultural exports to GCC, Jordan, Iraq

The new minister of agriculture, Hassan Lakis, held discussions  yesterday with the CEO of Dubai Municipality for Environment, Health and Safety Sector, Khaled Sharif Awadhi and the Chair of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Majid Ghureir, ways of agricultural cooperation between Lebanon and the UAE. This includes increasing agricultural exports bound to the Emirates, namely citrus fruits, apples, banana, grapes, potato and food and animal products. Lakis stressed during the meeting that his ministry will work hard to boost Lebanese agricultural production destined to the GCC, Jordanian and Iraqi markets after its decline over the past four years due to the closure of Nassib Crossing and the resulting halt of land export activity. During his tour, Lakis also visited the Lebanese Consulate in Dubai where he talked to Lebanese exhibitors partaking in the Gulf Food 2019 show and Lebanese exporters who briefed him on obstacles impeding the export of made-in-Lebanon products to the Emirates. Lakis reportedly made several contacts to this end. On the other hand, the Lebanese farmers’ anguish continues (: https://bit.ly/2BJhNoG). On February 15, Joseph Isaah, Lebanese Forces MP, appealed to concerned ministers in the new cabinet to step up efforts to create external outlets for the marketing of the apple produce stacked to date in cold storage. He urged them to find quick solutions to the impasse, warning that the Lebanese farmer cannot bear the accumulative losses any longer.  (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, February 17, 20, 2019)
 

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