Lebanese Republic 
The Minister Mansour Bteish welcomed a delegation of the Syndicate of the Importers and Exporters of Vegetables and Fruits in Lebanon
Minister of Economy and Trade, Mansour Bteish, welcomed a delegation of the Syndicate of the Importers and Exporters of Vegetables and Fruits in Lebanon headed by Naim Saleh Khalil in the presence of the Director General Alia Abbas and discussed the problems encountered by both importers and exporters.
The delegation called for “combating smuggling from Syria and increasing the support of agricultural exports, demanding Syria to import bananas and citrus fruits from Lebanon which are duty and tax free.” In addition, the delegation discussed “the cost of the land transportation through Syrian borders whereof higher tariffs rates are being imposed on lebanese trucks”.
The delegation also called for “combating illegal stores that compete with the legal ones as well as the possibility of activating the agriculture committee between the two countries.”
On his turn, Minister Bteish pointed out that “the Ministry is taking adequate actions regarding the illegal stores and will foster its efforts in the coming days in coordination with the security authorities.”
As for the issue of the agriculture committee, Minister Bteish referred the delegation to the Ministry of Agriculture for it falls within its purview ; stressing the necessity of “complying with all the agreements signed between Lebanon and the other countries in order to facilitate exporting goods from Lebanon” and ensuring “to review some of the agreements taking into consideration Lebanon’s interest and without violating any of its undertakings and commitments.”
Moreover, Minister Bteish met with Yemen’s Ambassador Abdallah Al Deis and discussed with him bilateral relations and the best means to boost trade exchange between the two countries, in light of the circumstances in Yemen.
Later in the afternoon, Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon, Christina Rafti, paid an acquaintance visit to the Minister and discussed with him “the economic perceptions of the lebanese government”. Minister Bteish explained the paramount importance of solving the electricity sector ordeal in Lebanon and the swift completion of the state budget”.
Discussions also tackled “the tripartite cooperation between Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece, in addition to the anticipated meeting of foreign ministers next week to launch series of activities based on the development of relations in the sectors of trade, tourism and culture”. It is to mention that a delegation will arrive to Lebanon next week comprising businessmen from these countries to promote mutual relations.
