site.btaSaudi Arabia Interested in Bulgarian Farm Produce

123 ECONOMY-AGRICULTURE-SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia
Interested in
Bulgarian Farm Produce


Sofia, January 30 (BTA) - Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister Roumen Porozhanov Wednesday conferred with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Batshan, Porozhanov's Ministry said in a press release.

Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Batshan confirmed his country's big interest in strengthening the relations with Bulgaria in agriculture. In the past year Saudi Arabia imported eight million sheep and is interested in importing Bulgarian produce as well. Prior to his meeting with Porozhanov, the guest visited the Centre for Food Chain Risk Assessment with the Agriculture, Food and Forestry Ministry. The guest also is scheduled to have meetings in the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) and visit Bulgarian farms.

The two ministers discussed the export of Bulgarian lambs to Saudi Arabia. Porozhanov said that to start the exports, the veterinary documentation from the BFSA needs to be finalized. He also said that BFSA has sent a letter to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture about the opening of a procedure for the export of live animals from Bulgaria to Saudi Arabia.

Also, a health certificate has been issued for Bulgarian honey, which is to be approved by Saudi Arabia.

The participants in the meeting agreed that Bulgaria will take part in the 2019 Saudi AgroFood exhibition, the biggest agricultural exhibition in Saudi Arabia. The meeting in Sofia was also attended by Bulgarian Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Dimiter Abadjiev. LY/ZH
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