Amman, Sept. 16 (Petra) -- President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and Amman Chamber of Commerce, Khalil Haj Tawfiq, on Wednesday called for closer agricultural integration among Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, saying a coordinated food system could strengthen regional trade and contribute to food security.

Speaking during a meeting with Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani at the chamber’s headquarters, Haj Tawfiq said the three countries could capitalize on their agricultural strengths by coordinating production seasons, diversifying supplies, and developing complementary products.

Rather than competing in the same markets with similar products at the same time, the countries could build an integrated system around their comparative advantages and different production seasons, he said.

Haj Tawfiq also pointed to opportunities for agricultural investment and complementary industries, as well as the potential to exchange food surpluses beyond domestic needs, which could help lower costs and maintain market supplies.

He called for stronger ties between Jordanian and Lebanese private-sector institutions and greater use of untapped trade opportunities. Jordan, he said, could serve as a gateway for Lebanese products to new export markets through its trade agreements with various economic blocs.

Agricultural products account for the bulk of certificates of origin issued by the Amman Chamber for exports to Lebanon this year, with 510 of the 646 certificates issued since the beginning of 2026 covering mainly mixed vegetables and fruits, agricultural seeds, and dates.

Haj Tawfiq stressed the need for closer coordination with the Lebanese private sector and new mechanisms to deepen economic ties, particularly in agriculture, saying the Amman Chamber was ready to play a larger role in promoting such cooperation.

Hani said the two countries should build on their strong political relations and close people-to-people ties by expanding economic cooperation in agriculture, industry, and trade, adding that the coming period was expected to see broader bilateral economic activity.

He highlighted the potential for closer coordination in agricultural production and trade to better serve farmers and markets in both countries. Lebanon’s potato sector, he said, offers an example of how agricultural output can be divided between fresh consumption and food processing, creating greater added value.

Hani also stressed the need for neighboring countries to coordinate the movement of agricultural products and avoid overlapping production seasons that could negatively affect farmers. He proposed developing a joint Jordanian-Lebanese agricultural calendar covering production seasons, market demand, trade opportunities, and processing activities.

He further proposed a specialized Jordanian-Lebanese economic meeting bringing together relevant institutions and private-sector representatives, with agriculture and food industries given priority. The meeting would seek to develop practical agreements and joint projects that promote integration rather than competition.

Hani invited Jordanian companies to participate in Agri Lebanon 2026, which will be held in Beirut from Nov. 26-28, saying the event could facilitate specialized meetings between Jordanian and Lebanese businesses and provide a platform to discuss agricultural integration, including production, processing, marketing, and a joint agricultural calendar.

The exhibition brings together farmers, companies, suppliers, experts, and government institutions and covers seeds and fertilizers, irrigation systems, smart agriculture, greenhouses, agricultural equipment and machinery, packaging and food processing, livestock, and poultry.

Jordanian exports to Lebanon totaled about JD54 million in the first half of 2026, compared with JD34 million in imports. Exports included medicines and plant products, particularly dates, as well as aluminum and aluminum products and food-industry products.

As of mid-September, 229 Lebanese business partners were registered with the Amman Chamber, with combined registered capital of about JD56 million. Their activities span several sectors, mainly services and consulting, construction, financial and banking services, telecommunications and information technology, and health and pharmaceuticals.

//Petra// AJ