Date: 12 Oct, 2026
The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) held a meeting with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to explore opportunities for investment cooperation in agriculture, agribusiness and food processing, with a view to supporting food security and expanding investment opportunities across the Arab region.
The meeting was held at AAAID’s headquarters in Dubai and chaired by Dr. Abdelilah Belatik, Executive Director, Investment Sector, with the participation of Mr. Talal Wishah, Director of the Direct Investment Department. The IFC delegation was led by Mr. Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, Regional Industry Director, Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services, Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan & Pakistan, and included Mr. Jishnu Chittoor, Senior Investment Officer, Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services, and Ms. Deema Khaldoon Alghunaim, Associate Operations Officer.
Discussions focused on potential cooperation in financing and investing in agricultural and food-sector projects, including opportunities for joint investment in projects of mutual interest. The two sides also explored the potential to leverage IFC’s advisory services and technical expertise to support project development and strengthen the operational performance of companies across the agriculture and food-processing sectors.
The meeting forms part of AAAID’s broader efforts to strengthen partnerships with international financial and development institutions and identify investment opportunities aligned with its priorities for advancing food security in the Arab region. It also builds on discussions held between H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of AAAID’s Board of Directors, and IFC in Washington, D.C., in October 2025.
Both sides agreed to maintain coordination between their respective teams to assess potential areas of cooperation and identify priority opportunities for further consideration.
