Date: 08 Jan, 2026
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Arab cooperation and support regional initiatives aimed at achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development, the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ghitha “غذاء”, a portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company – the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to establish a general framework for strategic cooperation between the two entities in areas of mutual interest.
The MoU was signed at AAAID’s head office on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. It was signed on behalf of AAAID by His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board, and on behalf of Ghitha by His Excellency Basim Mohamed Al Saie, Chairman of Ghitha.
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in food security–related fields, including support for food production, development of strategic reserves of essential food commodities, improving distribution efficiency, and ensuring equitable and sustainable access to food, in line with national and regional priorities in this vital sector and Ghitha’s mandate to strengthen food system resilience.
The areas of cooperation also include facilitating mutual visits and field engagements between technical teams, exchanging expertise and knowledge, and developing best practices in agriculture and food security. In addition, the MoU provides a framework for exploring opportunities to develop, scale, and market innovative products and services through affiliated companies of both parties, leveraging Ghitha’s growing portfolio and operational capabilities.
Furthermore, the cooperation extends to identifying and leveraging strategic opportunities to access regional and international markets, supporting mutual growth by capitalizing on the networks, expertise, and resources of both entities. This includes the exchange of market intelligence, research data, and strategic analyses to support planning processes and informed decision-making.
Both parties also agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration with governments and regional, international, and multilateral organizations on food security–related projects, with the aim of enhancing developmental impact and strengthening public–private sector integration at both regional and global levels.
Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, stated: “This Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step toward strengthening effective Arab partnerships in agriculture and food security. It reflects AAAID’s commitment to supporting sustainable investment initiatives that contribute to food security and the development of the agricultural sector across Arab countries, through cooperation with leading national institutions such as Ghitha”.
Ghitha a portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, brings together a portfolio of key national food sector companies and plays an important role in supporting the Kingdom of Bahrain’s food security objectives. Over the next five years, Ghitha will continue to undertake major expansions and strategic investments, including partnerships with private-sector food companies, to accelerate growth, enhance operational capabilities, and expand its footprint locally, regionally, and beyond. The partnership with the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) represents a significant strategic step in advancing Ghitha’s reach and operational impact.
The MoU with AAAID marks a strategic milestone in Ghitha’s regional engagement, reinforcing its position as a catalyst for food sector development in Bahrain and a trusted partner in advancing collective food security goals in the Arab Region.
Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Basim Mohamed Al Saie, Chairman of Ghitha, said: “We are proud to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, as it represents a strategic opportunity to exchange expertise and expand cooperation in the food and agribusiness sectors, in support of Bahrain’s food security goals and sustainable development”.
