Lebanon and Saudi Arabia Confirm Strengthening Agricultural Partnership

A phone conversation took place between Lebanon's Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli. According to a statement, the call reflected the strong brotherly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Lebanese Republic. The discussion focused on ways to enhance agricultural cooperation between the two countries and on following up the procedures related to reopening the Saudi market to Lebanese agricultural products.

During the call, Minister Hani expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both its leadership and people. He praised the gracious decision to reopen the Saudi market to Lebanese agricultural products, emphasizing that this step represents a pivotal moment in the economic and agricultural relations between the two nations.

Minister Hani also extended sincere thanks and appreciation to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his continuous support of Lebanon, his solidarity with its people, and his efforts to strengthen brotherly relations and joint cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

He affirmed that reopening the Saudi market to Lebanese agricultural exports constitutes strategic support for Lebanon's agricultural sector. This move provides an important opportunity to increase farmers' income and improve rural households' conditions, while also opening wide prospects to develop agricultural trade exchange and enhance economic and investment cooperation between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

In this regard, Minister Hani referred to a memorandum sent by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture through the Saudi Embassy in Beirut, which included a proposal to strengthen coordination and cooperation between both sides. It was also agreed to hold a virtual meeting soon between the relevant officials in the agricultural sectors of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Lebanon's Ministry of Agriculture. The meeting aims to discuss areas of mutual interest, identify strategic priorities, and establish a framework for current and future phases to reinforce the agricultural partnership and lay the foundation for sustainable cooperation projects and programs serving shared interests.

On his part, Minister Al-Fadli confirmed Saudi Arabia's keenness to enhance and activate agricultural cooperation and trade exchange with Lebanon. He stressed the importance of full compliance with the approved technical, health, and agricultural quarantine requirements to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products and maintain market and consumer confidence.

The two ministers also agreed to convene a meeting of the Lebanese-Saudi Joint Agricultural Committee in the near future to discuss various technical and procedural aspects related to agricultural exchange, complete coordination on quarantine requirements, and develop practical implementation mechanisms that contribute to strengthening joint cooperation and developing the agricultural partnership between the two countries.

Minister Al-Fadli emphasized that quality and standards are a fundamental priority for Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding food and agricultural products entering the Saudi market. He affirmed that adherence to approved specifications and standards is the cornerstone for ensuring the sustainability and development of trade exchange to achieve the common interests of both countries and their brotherly peoples.

This phone call took place within the framework of mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding areas of agricultural and economic cooperation. The aim is to support sustainable agricultural development, develop investment and trade exchange opportunities, and consolidate the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the Lebanese Republic.