Following the call by the President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Fady Gemayel, for the government to extend the period of the LBP 21 billion advance as endorsed by the government to support maritime export of Lebanese products to Arab countries through IDAL, the President  of the latter, Nabil Itani, called on the cabinet to extend the process for an additional year as land export remains blocked and Lebanese exports are still facing similar challenges.  Itani announced yesterday that approval of the Cabinet, during its last meeting of a decision to continue subsidizing maritime exports of Lebanese products until 31st of March 2017.  In a related vein, the Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayeb, met yesterday with a delegation of importers and exporters of fruits and greens and discussed problems facing exports and the need to address these.  The delegation discussed the issue of taxation on Lebanese products in Iraqi Kurdistan and Sudan.  Shehayeb reiterated that he will undertake the necessary contacts with authorities in Sudan and will also meet the Sudanese ambassador to discuss this matter.  He also affirmed that contacts are underway with authorities in Erbil for the same purpose.  The delegation who met with the Minister of Agriculture also called for necessary measures to protect Lebanon's fruit produce from exported fruits.  Shehayeb promised to enforce a pre-approved license for importing fruits according to the Lebanon's fruit harvesting calendar. (Al-Diyar May 10 2016)

 

Previous related news: