Egyptian Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, held a bilateral meeting with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, in Madrid, Spain, on the sidelines of the Fruit Attraction 2026 exhibition. The meeting aimed to enhance agricultural partnership between the two countries and explore new investment and trade opportunities. Farouk expressed his appreciation for the invitation to participate in the event, highlighting its importance as a global platform for trade exchange and showcasing the latest agricultural technology.
The Egyptian minister emphasized that Egyptian-Spanish relations have witnessed significant development, and he is keen to expand cooperation in agricultural integration, leveraging Spain's advanced expertise to support Egypt's plans for food security and agricultural production development. The meeting reviewed various aspects of agricultural cooperation, including insurance for farmers and the development of agricultural cooperatives. The two sides discussed ways to benefit from Spain's experience in managing and structuring cooperative associations.
The discussion also touched on issues related to plant quarantine and the challenges facing the movement of agricultural shipments between the two countries. Both ministers expressed their commitment to overcoming these challenges to ensure the smooth flow of exports and imports. This move comes as the agricultural trade between Egypt and Spain continues to grow. The meeting also covered recent developments in irrigation systems and the development of greenhouses.
The two ministers explored investment opportunities in Egypt's national projects, particularly the New Delta project. They also discussed the potential for cooperation in aquaculture, animal genetics, and smart agriculture. The Spanish minister invited Egyptian farmers and companies to participate in the upcoming edition of the Fruit Attraction exhibition in 2027.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue technical coordination and form joint working groups to follow up on the implementation of the agreements reached. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas such as olive production and climate-smart agriculture. Egypt and Spain have a long history of cooperation in the agricultural sector.
The Fruit Attraction exhibition, which took place in Madrid, is a leading international event for the fruit and vegetable sector. The exhibition provides a platform for companies and organizations to showcase their products and services. This year's event saw the participation of over 1,000 companies from around the world.
The visit of the Egyptian minister to Spain is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and pave the way for increased cooperation in the agricultural sector. The two countries have expressed their commitment to enhancing their partnership and exploring new opportunities for trade and investment. The meeting between the two ministers is a significant step towards achieving these goals.
Key points
- Egypt and Spain agree to enhance agricultural cooperation and trade exchange.
- The two countries to form joint working groups to follow up on the implementation of agreements reached.
- Egypt invites Spanish investors and companies to invest in the country's national projects, including the New Delta project.
