An Emirati delegation discusses enhancing cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of food security, agriculture and livestock

Dubai, February 18 / WAM / An Emirati delegation headed by Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahhak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, concluded an official visit to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, which lasted on February 16 and 17.

During the visit, the delegation met with officials of many government institutions and private sector companies in the Republic of Azerbaijan with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the fields of agriculture and livestock development.

This visit came within the framework of a strategic direction aimed at deepening the bilateral partnership in the issues of food security, sustainable agriculture, and the livestock sector, based on the foundations laid by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan.

Her Excellency Amna Al Dahak said: Our presence in Baku embodies the depth of the Emirati-Azerbaijani relations, which are relations based on a common vision to achieve sustainable economic growth, and are supported by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the qualitative capabilities and opportunities it provides to the two countries. This visit aims to direct the momentum created by the agreement towards concrete practical cooperation and clear investment paths, which contributes to building integrated partnerships between the main government agencies and private sector companies in the two countries.

Her Excellency added: The UAE adopts a proactive, multi-dimensional approach in the field of food security, focusing on innovation, strategic investment, and influential international cooperation. These are basic foundations that we look forward to strengthening here in Azerbaijan, based on our awareness of this country’s great agricultural potential and rich heritage in food production. We also look forward to developing a dynamic roadmap for bilateral investment in the livestock and agricultural food sectors, which contributes to enhancing trade in sustainable products, supports food security, and achieves greater prosperity for the two countries.”

The visit was based on three main axes: facilitating trade exchange and identifying opportunities for cooperation in the field of investments in the livestock and agricultural sector, promoting sustainable agriculture and consolidating strong cooperation in the livestock sector, and achieving comprehensive food security through developing more flexible supply chains.

The UAE delegation included His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, and His Excellency Mohammed Murad Al Balushi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Representatives of a number of government and semi-governmental entities also participated in the visit, including His Excellency Dhafer Rashid Al Qasimi, CEO of Sellal Group, His Excellency Mohammed Khalfan Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Corporate Services Sector at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Member of the Board of Directors of the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Mohammed Al Mansouri, Executive Vice President of Al Foah Company, a subsidiary of Agthia Group, and Mr. Abdullah Yousef Al Marzouqi, Director of the Support and Strategy Department at the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, Mr. Dhahi Yousef Al Mansouri, Acting Executive Director of the Research and Economic Intelligence Sector at the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, Nawal Al Ameri, Director of Government Relations at Al Dahra Agricultural Company, Sudhakar Gupta, from the IFCO Group, Riad Jabbar, Director at Lulu Hypermarket Group, and Al Tayeb Abdul Fahid, Secretary General of the Emirates Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group.

The delegation of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment included Hajar Bakhit Al Ketbi, Director of the Government Communications Department, Dr. Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Director of the Animal Health and Development Department, and Fatima Al Janahi, Director of the Agency’s Partnerships and Special Projects Department. Wahib Al Kamali, project expert; Fatima Al Hammadi, follow-up and coordination specialist; And agricultural engineer Ahlam Al-Mannai.

Nasser Al Balushi, Director of the Partnerships and Investment Promotion Department at the Ministry of Investment, also participated in the Emirati delegation. Saud Saif Al Neyadi, Director of Government Affairs at Sellal Group, and Duaa Fahmi Mukhayr, Head of Strategic Communications and Business Agility at Sellal Group.

The Azerbaijani side included representatives of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency “AQTA”, and Narmin Babayeva, Deputy Head of the Center of Analytical Expertise at the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute “AQTI”; And Elnur Shukurov from the Trade Representation of Azerbaijan in the UAE.

The visit aimed to deepen the bilateral partnership in the issues of food security, sustainable agriculture, and livestock management, based on the foundations laid by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan.

Representatives of the private sector from both countries held communication meetings, built working relationships, discussed investment opportunities between companies, and learned about common areas of work, which resulted in strengthening priority trade relations and partnerships in the agricultural food and livestock sectors, and creating investment opportunities and developing various businesses.

The round table meeting formed a pivotal platform for strategic exchange and partnership development, with the participation of an elite group of leaders, senior officials and private sector representatives from both parties.

Following the meeting, leading companies from the private sector in both countries gave presentations on growth opportunities and innovative solutions.

Ahlam Al Mannai, an agricultural engineer at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, reviewed the features of the UAE’s national framework in the fields of animal health and food safety, and highlighted the role of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in regulating health and technical procedures in the field of importing live animals, their products, and food safety.

The Emirati presentations highlighted the vital role of the private sector and its major contribution to the food security system, including various food industries and investment opportunities.

The visit’s program included a tour of the “Gog At” farm in Lokbatan, during which the UAE delegation was briefed on the livestock meat sector in Azerbaijan, which is one of the priority sectors in the areas of investment and development of mutual trade between the two sides.

The visit program concluded with the UAE delegation meeting with the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency at the headquarters of the Azerbaijan Institute for Food Safety, during which they were briefed on advanced laboratory capabilities, in addition to holding in-depth technical discussions.

The meeting witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the aim of consolidating cooperation in vital areas, including animal health and food safety.

The memorandum of understanding seeks to enhance cooperation in vital areas including animal health, food safety and biosecurity, as well as establishing a common framework to protect public health and facilitate procedures for importing and exporting consignments subject to veterinary control.

The memorandum was signed by His Excellency Muhammad Saeed Al Nuaimi, representative of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Mr. Muhammad Rahim Najafu, head of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency.

A series of bilateral meetings were also held during the visit with the aim of strengthening sectoral cooperation. His Excellency Dr. Amna Al-Dahhak met with His Excellency Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Ministry’s headquarters, where the priorities of the main strategic commodities that will contribute to the development of food trade between the two countries were reviewed. Opportunities for organizing and completing consensus on import and export procedures for food products and livestock were also discussed, in addition to exploring Emirati investment opportunities in agricultural infrastructure and land development in the Republic of Azerbaijan, in addition to joint cooperation in the fields of agricultural research and innovations. for major crops and enabling AI as a supporting tool for research and development.

Her Excellency Dr. Amna Al-Dahhak also met with His Excellency Mikail Japarov, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the meeting focused on expanding the mechanisms for implementing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, identifying the main priority food sectors for growth other than agriculture, in addition to providing a more attractive environment for private sector partnerships and foreign direct investment.

As part of the implementation of their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the two countries seek to expand non-oil trade horizons and build strong, long-term strategic partnerships.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement contributed to raising economic relations between the two countries to unprecedented levels, as the volume of non-oil trade between them reached about 2.4 billion US dollars, with a remarkable annual growth rate of 43%. The value of UAE investments in Azerbaijan currently amounts to about one billion US dollars, which reflects the depth and strength of the growing economic ties between the two parties.

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