- Title: LIBYA: Agricultural fair on olives and dates is held in Libya
- Date: 12th November 2008
- Summary: (MER1) TRIPOLI, LIBYA (NOVEMBER 8, 2008) (REUTERS) BANNER READING (in Arabic): "FIRST INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR DATES AND OLIVE OIL" LIBYAN OFFICIALS DURING OPENING CEREMONY LIBYAN OFFICIALS WALKING THROUGH PAVILION WHERE EXHIBITION IS HELD LIBYAN OFFICIAL HOLDING BOTTLE OF OLIVE OIL
- Embargoed: 27th November 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Industry
- Reuters ID: LVAVCSG5AI3B8PMCQ8HWTMWA9GD
- Story Text: An agricultural fair on olives and dates is held in the Libyan capital with companies from Spain, Belgium, the U.S. and Oman all taking part.
Tripoli is hosting Libya's first International Fair for Dates and Olive Oil this week, an event which aims to provided a platform for palm and olive farmers, producers and manufacturing companies to come together and discuss new technologies and business opportunities.
As well as Libyan agricultural firms taking part, representatives from companies in Spain, Belgium, the U.S. and Oman also took part in the fair.
In addition to their nutritious significance, which some research has shown can cure some ailments, dates and olive trees are considered blessed trees, as they are mentioned in the Koran, and have long been staple foods of Middle Eastern diets.
In Libya, there are at least 7.5 million olive trees spread throughout the country, producing 30 different types of olives.
The Chairman of the Libyan palm and olive body Salem Sadani says the Libyan government is undertaking a project to plant an additional ten million olive and palm trees across the country.
"Palm and olive trees have economic importance in the Libyan Republic due to their diversity and their distribution along the Libyan coast and the south. A plan has been put in place to plant more than ten million palm trees and ten million olive trees, distributed throughout the Libyan Republic. So far, more than two million palm trees have been planted and more than three million olive trees, spread out in different areas," said Madani.
Aside from promoting trade and agriculture, the fair also aims to inform people of the wide variety of olive and date species available, along with their different uses.
"I hope the variety of types displayed here will be available in the markets in Tripoli and to be at a suitable price so parents can buy it for their children, instead of the other things they buy, like candy, chocolate, potato chips and biscuits and all these things. This is the best nutrition for children," said Salem Saad, a visitor to the fair.
The First International Fair for Dates and Olive Oil runs until November 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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