Cabinet studies extending ‘Export Plus’

Program supporting agricultural exports expires; farmers call for State support

August 3, 2011- The Ministerial Committee tasked with conducting a study on the national program for supporting agricultural exports, ‘Export Plus’, held an extensive meeting to consider the extension of the program.

The program was protracted for a four-month period ending July, after it was about to expire at the end of March 2011.

Deputy Prime Minister, Samir Mokbel, said that the talks focused on ways to promote agricultural export, pending the adoption of a final plan in a second meeting next week.

The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) launched the Export Plus program in August 2001. The program consists of a subsidy for the transport of agricultural goods based on the quantity exported and the destination. Subsidies under the program average about $30 million per year.

In 2006, the government approved a 20 percent annual reduction in the subsidies until they are gradually phased out over a five-year period.

The associations of farmers across the country have protested weak State support. They urged the government for further support of exports in light of the interruption of land exports, through Syria, due to the turmoil in the neighboring country.