The First Agricultural Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi is a strategic platform towards food security and sustainable growth

ABU DHABI, 23rd October, 2017 (WAM) – The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, in partnership with the ADNEC Group, organized the first Agricultural Investment Forum under the slogan “Towards Food Security and Sustainable Growth”, at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi Center, as part of the activities of the second edition of World Food Week.

Organizing the forum comes within the framework of the Abu Dhabi government’s efforts to consolidate the concepts of sustainable development, strengthen the food security system, and create an attractive environment for agricultural investments, which contributes to supporting the national economy and achieving food self-sufficiency.

His Excellency Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, stressed in his speech during the forum that the event represents a strategic platform for exchanging experiences, reviewing best practices, and anticipating future opportunities in the agricultural sector, noting that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has paid great attention to developing the food security system, in recognition of the importance of this sector in achieving economic and social sustainability.

He added that the past years have witnessed a qualitative boom in agricultural investments, represented by the adoption of innovative projects that include smart agriculture, hydroponics, and food production using the latest global technologies, in addition to the expansion of giant Emirati companies outside the country.

He explained that the Authority is working according to an integrated strategy to enhance the chances of successful international trade, foreign investment, and increasing local production, pointing to the Authority’s support for agricultural companies that invest in countries with promising sectors, in addition to supporting sustainable agriculture within the country through specific initiatives.

During the forum, Al Ameri announced the launch of the new version of the agricultural investment guide in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which includes more than 30 diverse investment opportunities aimed at promoting sustainable development in the agricultural sector.

These opportunities include vital areas such as modern agricultural technologies that raise production efficiency and improve the quality of crops, food manufacturing that adds value to local products and supports export chains, as well as logistics services and supply chains to ensure the sustainability of the flow of food, and research and development in sustainable agriculture and biotechnologies to enhance innovation and confront environmental challenges.

The guide also includes promising opportunities within the decision on economic activities permitted to be practiced on farms, which allows 145 investment activities to be practiced on farms in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which reflects the diversity of options available to local and international investors.

The First Agricultural Investment Forum included four main sessions that discussed the most prominent strategic issues that shape the future of the agricultural sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, where the topics discussed varied between policies, innovation, financing, and practical experiences.

The first session dealt with the agricultural investment scene in the emirate, where participants discussed available opportunities, supportive legislation, and government incentives aimed at attracting investors and enhancing the competitiveness of the sector, with the participation of Mansour Al Marar, Vice President of Industrial Business Development at Kizad Group, who gave a presentation on the promising investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

The second session focused on innovation and modern technologies in sustainable agriculture, highlighting digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, and precision agriculture, as pivotal tools in raising production efficiency and achieving environmental sustainability, with the participation of Muhammad Rabie Al-Shaar, managing partner at Smark Company, who reviewed the most prominent technical applications in this field.

The participants in the third session dealt with financing agricultural projects, where they discussed the role of banks and government and private investment funds in supporting the sector and providing innovative financing solutions, during which Shaker Farid Abdul Rahman Zainal, Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President at the Emirates Development Bank, spoke about financing mechanisms and the challenges associated with them, and the importance of providing flexible financial tools to support agricultural entrepreneurs.

The fourth session discussed local and international success stories in agricultural investment, where Fadel Nasser Al Saeedi and Abdul Rahman Rashid Al Shamsi from the Abu Dhabi Agricultural Club participated in presenting inspiring experiences that reflect the potential for growth and innovation in the sector, and highlight the importance of effective partnerships between the public and private sectors in achieving food security and sustainable growth.

The forum also witnessed a panel discussion entitled “Transforming Waste into Wealth,” which discussed investing in technology to divert agricultural food waste from landfills, with the participation of an elite group of experts, including Mohammed Rabie Al-Shaar, Kholoud Al Nowais from the Emirates Foundation, Theophilos Alivizos from Agthia Company, and Dr. Afkar Qasim from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.

The organizers of the forum aspire to transform it into a regular platform that brings together stakeholders in the agricultural sector, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and consolidating its position as a global center for attracting investments in the agricultural sector, in line with the country’s aspirations towards a sustainable and safe food future.

The forum witnessed a wide attendance of representatives of government and private agencies, investors, entrepreneurs, and decision makers, as it formed a strategic platform for exchanging experiences, reviewing best practices, and anticipating future opportunities in the agricultural sector, thus enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global center for attracting agricultural investments.

The forum concluded with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority Awards Ceremony, honoring the distinguished entities and projects that contributed to developing the agricultural sector and enhancing the food security system in the country.

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