Egyptian Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, recently held a bilateral meeting with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, on the sidelines of the Fruit Attraction exhibition in Madrid, Spain. The meeting aimed to explore opportunities for enhancing agricultural cooperation and trade between Egypt and Spain. Farouk expressed his appreciation for the invitation to participate in the event, highlighting its importance as a global platform for agricultural trade and technology exchange.
The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen their countries' partnership in the agricultural sector, with a focus on leveraging Spanish expertise to support Egypt's goals in food security and agricultural development. They reviewed various areas of cooperation, including insurance for farmers and the development of agricultural cooperatives. The Spanish experience in managing and structuring cooperative associations was seen as a valuable model for Egypt to support small-scale farmers and improve the efficiency of services provided to them.
The meeting also touched on issues related to plant quarantine and the challenges facing the movement of agricultural shipments between the two countries. Both ministers emphasized their commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring the smooth flow of exports and imports. This effort is part of a growing trend of agricultural trade between Egypt and Spain, and the ministers sought to capitalize on this momentum.
Farouk and Planas also explored recent developments in irrigation systems and the use of greenhouses, as well as investment opportunities in Egypt's national projects, including the New Delta project. The Spanish minister was invited to invest in Egypt, and the two sides discussed ways to promote Spanish investment in the Egyptian agricultural sector.
The meeting covered additional topics, such as aquaculture, genetic improvement of livestock, and smart agriculture. The ministers agreed to continue technical coordination and establish joint working groups to follow up on the agreements reached and translate them into concrete steps.
The strengthening of agricultural ties between Egypt and Spain is seen as a strategic move to enhance food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices. By leveraging Spanish expertise and technology, Egypt aims to improve its agricultural productivity and competitiveness in the global market.
The Fruit Attraction exhibition, where the meeting took place, is a leading international event for the fruit and vegetable sector, attracting participants from around the world. The event provided a platform for Farouk and Planas to engage with industry stakeholders and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
Key points
- Egypt and Spain are seeking to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector, with a focus on improving food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
- The two countries are exploring ways to leverage Spanish expertise in areas such as agricultural cooperatives, irrigation systems, and greenhouses.
- The meeting between the two ministers aimed to address challenges facing agricultural trade between Egypt and Spain and to promote investment in the sector.
