Hani: We Are Working to Support Lebanese Products Reaching Foreign Markets

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani received Bulgarian Ambassador Iassen Tomov in his office, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation between Lebanon and Bulgaria, particularly in the fields of agriculture, food, and trade, serving the interests of both countries and opening new opportunities for Lebanese agricultural products.

The meeting discussed ways to develop agricultural cooperation, enhance exchange of expertise, technologies, and knowledge, as well as explore possibilities to boost trade exchanges in agricultural and food products, facilitate access of Lebanese goods to Bulgarian and European markets within established legal and regulatory frameworks.

According to a statement, after completing the required legal, administrative, and formal procedures, the Council of Ministers approved the appointment of Minister Hani to sign a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation between the Lebanese and Bulgarian ministries.

The upcoming memorandum will serve as an institutional framework to strengthen agricultural collaboration between the two countries, update existing cooperation foundations in line with developments in the agricultural sector and food production and trade chains, and reinforce partnerships between agricultural, scientific, and technical institutions. It includes broad areas of cooperation, notably agricultural research, plant production, animal resources, forests, plant and animal health, food safety, as well as exchange of expertise and knowledge in technical and specialized fields of mutual interest.

It emphasizes cooperation in plant and veterinary health, including technical and regulatory requirements related to import and export, exchange of relevant information and documents, contributing to facilitating the movement of agricultural, animal, and fishery products between the two countries according to established standards. The memorandum places special importance on developing agricultural and food trade through encouraging product exchange and easing market access for each country’s products in the other’s markets, while strengthening communication between competent authorities and exchanging requirements and procedures related to agricultural trade.

It also covers cooperation in introducing and advancing modern technologies in plant and animal production, collaboration in variety testing, conservation, and seed monitoring, as well as enhancing protection of agricultural environments, rational use of natural resources, and developing more sustainable farming models capable of addressing climate and economic challenges. Additionally, it opens avenues for strengthening cooperation in agricultural scientific research, technology transfer, and accelerating application of scientific findings and research results in the agricultural sector, contributing to raising innovation and productivity levels and enhancing competitiveness of the agricultural sector in both countries. The memorandum also includes cooperation in protecting forest resources, their sustainable management, and utilization, along with potential expansion of cooperation areas in the future to include any other sectors or topics agreed upon by the two parties.

To turn cooperation areas into practical programs, the memorandum stipulates implementation of a set of joint activities, including organizing seminars, workshops, training courses, exchange of information and expertise, execution of technical and administrative cooperation initiatives, and any other forms of cooperation mutually agreed upon by the parties.

This framework is expected to strengthen direct communication between agricultural, scientific, and technical institutions in Lebanon and Bulgaria, helping build implementable partnerships, especially in areas such as agricultural technology, food safety, plant and veterinary health, scientific research, and sustainable agriculture.

The memorandum gains additional significance as it comes within the context of updating the legal and institutional framework for agricultural cooperation between Lebanon and Bulgaria, explicitly stating that the previous agricultural agreement signed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Agricultural Reform of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Lebanese Republic in Sofia on June 25, 1998, shall be terminated upon entry into force of the new memorandum.

The new memorandum is scheduled to enter into force from the date of signing, for a period of three years, with automatic renewal possible under the mechanism specified therein, establishing a long-term framework for agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

This initiative aligns with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic direction under Minister Dr. Nizar Hani to expand international agricultural cooperation networks, diversify partnerships, open new markets for Lebanese production, and leverage international expertise and technologies to enhance competitiveness of the agricultural and food sectors and support Lebanese farmers, producers, and exporters.

Hani

On his part, Minister Hani emphasized the importance of transitioning Lebanese-Bulgarian agricultural relations from traditional cooperation to practical partnerships based on knowledge and technology exchange, and enhancing agricultural and food trade and investment. He stressed that "Lebanon possesses agricultural and food production with competitive advantages, and the ministry is committed to supporting Lebanese products and improving their ability to access foreign markets in accordance with international standards."

Bulgarian Ambassador

The Bulgarian ambassador affirmed the "importance of developing cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and leveraging available opportunities to strengthen agricultural and trade relations between the two countries, particularly in areas of exchange of agricultural expertise and technology, and agricultural and food trade."

It should be noted that this step is part of the agricultural diplomacy pursued by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture as a tool to open markets, enhance food security, develop production, attract knowledge, technology, and investments, and solidify the presence of Lebanese products in regional and international markets."