BEIRUT, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Agriculture Minister Hassan Lakkis announced Monday that the reopening of the crossing between the Iraqi town of al-Qaim and Syria's al-Boukamal will increase Lebanese agricultural exports to Syria, Iraq and the rest of the Arab countries, the National News Agency reported.
"We reiterate the need for direct contact with Syria to facilitate the export of our produce and increase cooperation with the neighboring country which is in the interest of Lebanon," Lakkis said.
The minister added that the agriculture sector will benefit a lot from this crossing and from the direct and healthy ties with Syria.
Meanwhile, Antoine Howayek, head of farmers association in Lebanon, told Xinhua that Lebanon will face obstacles in exporting its products through this crossing because exporters will have to pay high fees so that Syria allows them to pass through its territories.
"This has already happened when Nasib border opened between Syria and Jordan. The Syrians imposed high fees on Lebanese exporters," he said.
Lebanese farmers have previously suffered from inability to export products by land to Arab countries because of the closure of Nasib border following heavy clashes between rebel fighters, who encircled the Nasib crossing, and Syrian government forces near the area.
Nasib border re-opened later but Lebanese farmers' hopes for an increase in their exports were dashed as Syria imposed additional fees on each container that crosses its borders.
"We need to open a direct dialogue with Syria and convince them to reduce fees for Lebanese exporters through their borders," Howayek said.
