Beirut: In a new step toward expanding Arab agricultural cooperation, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani received a high-ranking delegation from the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Association (ELBA), headed by Fathallah Fawzy Mohamed, and including prominent economic and agricultural figures from Egypt and Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the meeting was devoted to discussing opportunities for integration between the two countries in the agricultural sector and strengthening trade and investment partnerships, particularly in the areas of crop exports, exchange of expertise, and keeping pace with the developments and challenges in the agricultural sector.
Minister Hani emphasized that "Lebanese agriculture today needs genuine Arab alliances based on partnership, not assistance, and built on the integration of resources, markets, and expertise," noting that "cooperation with Egypt represents a model to be followed in this field." He stated that they rely on Arab businessmen to stimulate agricultural production by supporting export markets, developing packaging, and raising product quality to meet international standards.
Hani referred to a recent important meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, on the sidelines of an international agricultural conference held in Italy, where they agreed to activate bilateral agricultural cooperation. In the same context, he pointed to his recent meeting with Syrian Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr, where they discussed facilitating the transit of Lebanese agricultural products through Syrian territory and addressing the issue of high fees.
Hani revealed that a four-party agreement is currently underway between Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, which would reactivate land shipping lines and expand Arab agricultural exchange. For his part, the Association's President praised the Agriculture Ministry's efforts, valuing the long-standing relationship between Egypt and Lebanon. "It is a relationship of shared destiny, and the association has been a solid economic and cultural bridge between the two countries for more than thirty years," he said.
Mohamed emphasized that "the visit comes within the framework of supporting our brotherly country, Lebanon, and expanding areas of investment cooperation, particularly in the agricultural sector, thus opening new horizons for both Egyptian and Lebanese companies."