Ukraine and Lebanon will deepen cooperation in the field of agroindustrial complex

Ukraine and Lebanon are interested in expanding bilateral trade with agricultural products and establishing effective cooperation mechanisms.

This was discussed during the meeting of the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Maksym Martyniuk with the delegation of the deputies of the National Assembly of the Lebanese Republic headed by the head of the Lebanese-Ukraine Friendship Group, Michel Moussa. The event was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Lebanese Republic Ihor Ostash and representatives of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

"In recent years, we see a gradual increase in exports to Lebanon. Significant dynamics is observed in the segment of livestock products. We try to support this trend, including by introducing in Ukraine an interest-free high support of the livestock sector, " says Maksym Martyniuk. As an example, he cited the dynamics of exports to Lebanon of live animals (cattle, sheep, goats), which began in 2016 and for the year grew 6-fold to $ 14 million and expressed confidence that similar growth will occur in other product categories .

The Lebanese side showed an interest in increasing trade turnover, in particular, by increasing exports from Ukraine of cereals, vegetable oils, flour, and from Lebanon - citrus fruits, bananas and wine products. It was also emphasized that Lebanon can be viewed by Ukraine as a trade and economic hub, through which it is possible to export products to other countries of the Middle East.

An important stage in bilateral relations can be the Ukrainian-Lebanese business forum, which is planned in Kyiv in April.

In addition, the issue of the resumption of the work of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Lebanese Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was discussed, which is an important platform for communication at the governmental level on trade and economic cooperation.

Reference:

In 2017, Ukraine exported agricultural products to Lebanon for $ 204,400,000. The main export products are corn and wheat ($ 95.1 million), oilseeds ($ 43.8 million) and sunflower oil ($ 31.1 million).

Also in 2016, exports to Lebanon of live animals (cattle, sheep, goats) began. In 2017, it grew 6-fold to $ 14 million.

In smaller volumes, Lebanon imports from Ukraine poultry meat, dairy products, sugar, margarine, walnuts, animal feeds, etc.