Date: 17 Jun, 2025
Location: Arab Republic of Egypt
As part of his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), held a series of high-level meetings with representatives of investment companies and institutions participating in the inauguration of Mevac’s expansion project. These engagements aimed to enhance cooperation in food security, sustainable industries, and Arab integration across priority sectors.
Mr. Ayman El Henawy, Director of Communication and International Relations at AAAID, also participated in the meetings, during which emphasis was placed on the importance of effective institutional communication and the development of long-term strategic partnerships with the private sector and relevant institutions. These partnerships are key to advancing regional efforts toward sustainable agricultural investment and food security.
Bilateral Meetings with Representatives of Investment Companies and Groups
Dr. Al Zaabi began his meetings with a cordial exchange with Sheikh Hamed Bin Khadem Bin Butti Al Hamid, Chairman of Bin Butti Group. The two parties discussed AAAID’s core development mission and strategic goals. Sheikh Hamed commended the Authority’s efforts in supporting Arab food security and emphasized the importance of institutional coordination in implementing high-impact food security projects.
His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Al Zaabi met with the leadership of (MEVAC) to review the “Vaccine and Biotechnology City” project in Ismailia and to discuss opportunities for the Authority’s partnership in this strategic initiative aimed at supporting health and food security in the region.
Dr. Al Zaabi also met with senior executives from MEVAC, including Mr. Ahmed Hassan Abdel Azim, Chief Financial Officer of Mivac, and Mr. Mostafa Abdel Baqi, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Manager They presented a detailed overview of the “Vaccine and Biotechnology City” (VBC) project in Ismailia Governorate — a joint initiative by MEVAC, U-VAC, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA). The parties discussed the potential for AAAID to join the project as a strategic investor, given its critical role in strengthening the regional health ecosystem through the production, packaging, and distribution of a wide range of human and veterinary vaccines, biologics, and biotechnology products. This collaboration aims to enhance health and food security across the region.
Furthering this agenda, Dr. Al Zaabi held talks with Dr. Magdy El-Sayed, Chairman of Middle East for Veterinary Vaccines Company (MEVAC); and Dr. Magdy El-Kady, Professor of Poultry Diseases and Dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University; and Mr. Hisham Osman, Finance Manager of EgyHolland. The discussions focused on the “Clean Egg Project,” which aims to produce high-quality, contamination-free eggs as essential inputs in vaccine manufacturing — forming the foundation for vaccine production in both poultry and certain human health applications.
Strengthening Ties with Leading Egyptian Family Business Groups
As part of AAAID’s efforts to foster cooperation with major Egyptian family-owned investment groups, Dr. Al Zaabi met with Mr. Hussein El-Banna, Vice Chairman of El-Banna Group, which operates across sectors such as poultry, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, recycling, and land reclamation. The meeting explored opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange on food security related projects.
In a separate meeting, Dr. Al Zaabi conferred with Mr. Tony Freiji, Executive Chairman of Al Wadi Group, where they discussed joint cooperation prospects in poultry production, olive cultivation, and the food processing industry all of which contribute to advancing regional food security strategies.
Expanding International Cooperation in Biotech and Health Innovation
In line with AAAID’s commitment to global collaboration, Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, also met with Dr. Krishna M. Ella, Co-Founder and Chairman of India’s Bharat Biotech. The discussion focused on exploring joint initiatives in biotechnology and innovative health technologies aimed at supporting both human and animal well-being. The two sides also reviewed opportunities for integration in biomanufacturing and food safety technologies, in alignment with AAAID’s vision to develop sustainable food security projects across the Arab world.
