Lebanon's Agriculture Minister to visit Syria over agricultural exports

BEIRUT, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Agriculture Minister Hassan Lakkis said Monday that he will negotiate with Syrian authorities about the possibility of reducing fees on Lebanese agriculture exports, local media reported.

"The cost of Lebanese exports through Syria have increased following the opening of Nasib border, which is weighing heavily on the local agricultural produce," Lakkis was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.

Lakkis will visit Syria on April 9 and discuss the possibility of adopting a proper mechanism for import and export through Syria's legal borders, as well as the agricultural trade in a way that would serve the interests of both countries, he said.

It is in the interest of the new Lebanese government to open a direct dialogue with Syrian authorities in a bid to solve the farmers' problems, he added.

Lebanese farmers had hoped for an increase in exports after the opening of Nasib border crossing, but their hopes were dashed as Syria imposed additional fees on each container that crosses its borders.

As the only functioning crossing between Jordan and Syria, Nasib is vital for goods transport from Lebanon and Syria to Jordan and the Gulf states.