Agri-Plus activated

Agricultural exports supported through incentives for exporters compliant with improved production and packaging standards

The Investment Development Authority for Lebanon (IDAL) announced on Monday (March 5) the new program for supporting agricultural exports, Agri-Plus. The subsidy program has been in effect since the first of January 2012. It is a replacement for Export-Plus, the previous subsidy program.

The new program aims to increase exportation, maintaining traditional export destinations and at the same time tapping into new markets. The scheme also seeks to enhance the confidence of foreign consumers in Lebanese produce, and also to develop the skills and technical knowhow of local producers.

According to IDAL, Agri-Plus will support agricultural exports through developing production, improving packaging, and developing promotion methods.

The program will be implemented through key measures including financial incentives for farmers, cooperatives, and exporters who abide by the improved production and packaging standards. The value of the incentives will vary according to the changing needs of the market. The program includes initiating training programs in order to provide quality certificates for packaging stations. The scheme also entails undertaking studies to find potential export markets.

The support program aims at reducing the gap between production cost in Lebanon and in its competitor markets by covering the largest amount possible of the difference. Thus it divides the export markets into four geographic zones. The first zone covers Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. The second zone covers Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Iran. The third zone consists of export markets in Europe, Asia, and Middle Asia. The fourth zone covers countries in North and South America, Australia, and East Asia.

The subsidy program includes incentives for the export of eggs, flowers, honey, and olive oil. It will also finance part of the fees required for local producers and exporters to take part in international exhibitions.