Date: 04 Nov, 2026
The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) held a meeting with Bahrain Food Holding Company “Ghitha,” a subsidiary of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in food security and food industries. The discussions also included a review of an integrated poultry production project in Bahrain aimed at strengthening domestic production capacity and diversifying food supply sources.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, and His Excellency Basim Mohamed Al Saie, Chairman of Bahrain Food Holding Company “Ghitha,” alongside Mr. Mahmood Zainal, Chief Executive Officer of the company. Also attending were Dr. Abdelilah Belatik, Executive Director of the Investment Sector at AAAID; Mr. Talal Akeil Wishah, Director of the Direct Investment Department at AAAID; and Mr. Nishant Virendra Singhi, Economic Advisor to the Chairman of AAAID.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding signed between AAAID and Ghitha on 7 January 2026, which established a framework for cooperation and the identification of investment opportunities in food security-related sectors. It reflects the two institutions’ shared commitment to translating areas of cooperation into tangible investment opportunities and projects through the assessment of commercially viable initiatives with sustainable long-term growth potential, while strengthening partnerships that support food security in Bahrain and across Arab markets.
Exploring Investment Opportunities Across the Food Security Value Chain
The discussions focused on investment enablers and emerging opportunities in Bahrain’s food security sector, as well as prospects for developing investment partnerships grounded in commercial viability and long-term growth potential. The discussions also addressed ways to advance investment opportunities, expand domestic production capacity, and improve supply chain efficiency, thereby supporting the growth and sustainability of Bahrain’s food security sector.
The two sides further explored investment opportunities in food industries, strategic storage, logistics, and value-added manufacturing, alongside potential areas for cooperation and investment across other Arab markets. These efforts are intended to promote regional economic integration and create new opportunities for cross-border investment partnerships.
Integrated Poultry Production Project to Strengthen Bahrain’s Domestic Supply
In this context, Ghitha presented an integrated poultry production project in the Kingdom of Bahrain, designed to establish an end-to-end production system encompassing poultry farming, hatchery operations, chick production, slaughtering, processing, and packaging, supported by the necessary infrastructure and logistics facilities.
The project responds to growth opportunities in Bahrain’s poultry market, which is estimated to consume approximately 85,000 to 90,000 tonnes annually, with an estimated market value of around USD 200 million. The Kingdom currently relies on imports for an estimated 75% to 80% of its poultry requirements.
The proposed project is designed to achieve an annual production capacity of approximately 3.88 million birds, equivalent to around 4,257 tonnes of poultry meat. It will primarily target the fresh and chilled chicken market, serving demand from retail, hospitality, hotels, restaurants, and catering sectors.
The integrated production system, comprising poultry farms, a hatchery, a centralised slaughterhouse, and processing and recycling facilities, is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve supply reliability, and support the development of a more integrated and sustainable domestic poultry industry.
Investment Fundamentals and Long-Term Growth Potential
According to the preliminary investment proposal, the project’s total funding requirement stands at approximately BHD 7.81 million, with a financing structure comprising 75% equity and 25% debt financing.
The preliminary financial assessment indicates encouraging investment fundamentals, subject to the completion of the required technical, financial, and legal assessments and validation of the underlying assumptions.
In this context, AAAID continues to pursue the expansion of its investment portfolio across food security-related sectors by assessing opportunities that combine financial returns with measurable development impact. The Authority also seeks to strengthen cooperation with Arab investment institutions and private-sector partners, contributing to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable food systems across the region.
Next Steps in Advancing the Investment Partnership
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of continued coordination and joint efforts to advance the project’s assessment, including its technical, financial, and legal aspects, and to identify the requirements and next steps needed to progress to subsequent stages. This will support informed investment decisions and help establish the conditions for the project’s successful development.
The cooperation reflects AAAID’s continued commitment to developing effective investment partnerships with Arab institutions and companies, translating promising opportunities into commercially viable projects with tangible development impact, while advancing regional investment integration and strengthening food security across the Arab region.
