Beirut: The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani held a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari, to discuss enhancing agricultural cooperation between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. This meeting is part of Lebanon's ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Arab nations and expand market opportunities for its agricultural products.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, focusing on technical coordination, expertise exchange, and ensuring food safety and animal and plant health. Both parties are aiming to align with international best practices to facilitate the smooth flow of Lebanese agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia.

The dialogue also highlighted the need to complete requirements necessary for expanding Lebanese agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia. This initiative is expected to bolster Lebanese presence in Gulf markets, support local farmers, stimulate the agricultural economy, and add value to national production.

Minister Hani informed the Saudi ambassador about the progress in communications and coordination between the agricultural ministries of both countries. Significant advancements have been made at the technical level, leading to the establishment of official points of contact and a specialized technical working team from Lebanon. This team includes experts in various agricultural fields, and a joint electronic platform will be created to streamline communication and technical follow-ups.

Dr. Hani noted that the cooperation has led to a series of virtual meetings attended by senior officials and experts. These meetings have laid the groundwork for a joint technical process aimed at completing technical and regulatory requirements for resuming agricultural trade, with a clear roadmap and follow-up mechanisms in place.