Date: 16 Nov, 2025
Location: Cairo - Arab Republic of Egypt
A delegation from the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), headed by His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, participated in the Egyptian-Gulf Trade and Investment Forum 2025, held in Cairo on 10 and 11 November 2025, under the slogan ‘A Roadmap for Enhancing Egyptian-Gulf Economic Cooperation,’ with the participation of Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and a number of ministers, senior officials and businessmen from both the Gulf and Egyptian sides.
During his participation in the third panel discussion entitled ‘Mechanisms and Areas for Enhancing Food Security,’ His Excellency reviewed AAAID’s role in connecting Gulf investors with agricultural projects in Egypt. His Excellency Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi said: “Achieving Arab food security requires the integration of efforts and the activation of cross-border investment partnerships, which will contribute to building a sustainable agricultural system capable of facing climatic and economic challenges, weak infrastructure, climate fluctuations, and high production costs. He called for the adoption of modern technology, the development of innovative financing instruments such as green sukuk, and the strengthening of partnerships between the public and private sectors. AAAID is committed to continuing its role in developing joint projects related to food security.
His Excellency noted that Egypt is one of AAAID’s most important strategic partners due to its fertile natural resources, advanced infrastructure, and attractive investment climate. He affirmed AAAID’s keenness to expand its investments in Egypt through qualitative partnerships with the public and private sectors, thereby promoting the achievement of sustainable agricultural development goals. He also stressed the importance of involving the Gulf private sector in supporting Arab agricultural integration projects.
He concluded his speech by emphasising that joint Arab agricultural investment is a fundamental pillar of Arab national security and a guarantee for achieving sustainable development.
On the sidelines of the forum, His Excellency Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi held a number of high-level bilateral meetings, where he met with His Excellency Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, in the presence of His Excellency Professor Ibrahim Adam Ahmed Al-Dakheiry, Director General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development.
During the meeting, they discussed mechanisms for enhancing joint cooperation in the areas of agricultural investment and expanding Arab investment opportunities in the Egyptian market, in line with the Egyptian state’s economic orientation towards supporting sustainable development. The meeting also addressed opportunities for cooperation in livestock development projects and increasing their production efficiency, as well as the exchange of expertise and technology in the field of veterinary serum and vaccine production and supply, and ways to provide technical and financial support to small farmers and producers.
The meeting also discussed prospects for investment in the areas of digital transformation, agricultural manufacturing and modern mechanisation, as well as strengthening research and technical cooperation with the Egyptian Agricultural Research Centre, thereby contributing to comprehensive agricultural development.
During the meeting, Minister Alaa Farouk affirmed the Egyptian state’s keenness to create a stimulating and attractive investment climate and to provide all facilities and incentives to investors, noting that the agricultural sector in Egypt enjoys promising investment opportunities in its various activities. His Excellency also stressed the Egyptian government’s commitment to removing any challenges that investors may face, in support of efforts to achieve regional and Arab food security.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi expressed his appreciation for the integrated development model implemented by the Arab Republic of Egypt in the agriculture and food security sector, which combines agriculture, food processing and resource management with high efficiency. His Excellency affirmed the Authority’s keenness to expand the horizons of cooperation with the Agricultural Research Centre and Egyptian national institutions to benefit from leading research and applied expertise in the fields of training and capacity building for Arab cadres working in the agricultural sector.
His Excellency also noted the importance of signing a future memorandum of understanding between AAAID and the Agricultural Research Centre to enhance cooperation in the fields of agricultural research and development, emphasizing AAAID’s desire to increase its agricultural investments in Egypt through strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors, particularly in the areas of agricultural manufacturing and digital transformation, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development and shared Arab food security.
In the same context, His Excellency Dr. Al-Zaabi met with His Excellency Professor Ibrahim Adam Ahmed Al-Dakheiry, Director General of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, where they discussed prospects for joint cooperation in the areas of food security and the empowerment of small farmers and rural women in Arab countries.
During the meeting, His Excellency emphasized the importance of unifying institutional efforts to achieve Arab agricultural integration, noting the AAAID’s keenness to adopt regional development initiatives that support rural communities and enhance their productivity and sustainability.
For his part, His Excellency Professor Al-Dakheiry praised the leading role played by AAAID in supporting sustainable investments to enhance Arab food security, affirming the organisation’s keenness to continue close cooperation with the Authority to develop practical initiatives that contribute to enhancing food security and achieving sustainable rural development in Arab countries.
