Serbian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sasa Dragin and his Israeli counterpart Shalom Simhon yesterday signed an agreement concerning agricultural cooperation between Serbia and Israel.

Speaking at a press conference after the signing, Dragin said that the agreement will increase trade of food and agricultural products between Serbia and Israel, adding that both countries will benefit from the agreement.

He said that the agreement will also facilitate cooperation in education about agriculture, stressing that Serbia and Israel can accomplish a lot together in the area of agriculture because Serbia has a wealth of natural resources and Israel has the latest agricultural technology.

The Minister said that Serbia and Israel do not compete with each other in agricultural production because their produce differs due to differences in climate.

Dragin said that trade between Serbia and Israel stood at nearly $9 million in 2008 and Serbia had a small surplus of $200,000, adding that trade can be increased.

Simhon said that the agreement signed today is a comprehensive one, stressing that its implementation will make it possible for the two countries to benefit from each other’s experience and knowledge.

He said that the agreement also envisages improvement of agricultural production and systematic development of training and joint agricultural research.

He said that Israel will make its experiences and knowledge available to Serbia and will help Serbia better manage its water resources, develop the latest irrigation technology and increase agricultural production.

The signing was also attended by Israeli Ambassador in Serbia Arthur Cole.