A delegation from Lebanon led by the country's Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb visited New Delhi recently and met his Indian counterpart Radha Mohan Singh to explore bilateral trade opportunities in India. 

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh urged Lebanon to invest in the setting up of Mega Food Parks and cold chain Infrastructure in India, and to promote information exchange on processing techniques for fruits and vegetables and new packaging techniques for food products. 

Singh also mentioned that institutional cooperation for exchange of information on research and development and transfer of technology and know-how should also be part of the proposed partnership.

Singh also highlighted that during the period 2013-14, India’s total export of agricultural commodities to Lebanon was US$69.41 million, while agricultural imports from Lebanon in the same period amounted to $0.47 million. 

Stressing on India’s ability to export potatoes, tomatoes, durum wheat and sugar to Lebanon, Singh requested possibilities for import of these items from India to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries. 

Responding to India’s request to facilitate bilateral trade, Chehayeb urged India to simplify visa procedures that would eventually help in strengthening bilateral trade.