Jakarta, July 9 -- Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced plans to expand the export potential of Indonesian coconut and crude palm oil (CPO) to Lebanon to strengthen trade ties and widen market access across the Middle East.

The decision followed a limited courtesy call from Lebanese Ambassador to Indonesia Salam Al Achkar at the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday.

"The discussion in the meeting with Lebanon was about increasing exports. They offered olive oil, so I asked for increased exports of coconut and CPO from Indonesia to Lebanon," Minister Amran said.

The trade talks focus on a highly complementary agricultural alliance, utilizing Indonesia's dominance in tropical commodities to fulfill Le...