Date: 30 Sep, 2026
H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), held meetings with representatives of financial and investment institutions to explore opportunities to strengthen private-sector partnerships and develop investment and financing solutions that support food security and advance sustainable investment across the Arab region. The meetings took place at AAAID’s main office.
H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi received Mr. Kristis Michaelides, Managing Director, and Business Development Director at HIG Capital, and Mr. Gaurang Desai, Managing Director of Equiti Group. Discussions focused on how digital platforms and financial solutions can be leveraged to support food security, particularly by facilitating trade in agricultural and food products among AAAID’s member states and expanding access to markets and financing for companies within AAAID’s portfolio.
The meeting also explored opportunities to leverage digital platforms and innovative financial instruments to strengthen connections between companies, markets and sources of finance, supporting business growth and the development of food and agriculture value chains across the Arab region.
In a second meeting, H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi received Mr. Essam Hawash, Chief Executive Officer of Mada Capital. The two sides discussed investment opportunities across the Arab region, including private equity opportunities in food security companies, as well as financing solutions aimed at smallholder farmers and enhancing their access to the capital needed to develop their activities.
The meetings form part of AAAID’s efforts to build effective partnerships with the private sector and financial and investment institutions, mobilise capital and channel investment towards sustainable agricultural investment and food security across the Arab world. They also support the development of companies and food value chains while creating opportunities for sustainable growth.
The discussions reflect AAAID’s continued efforts to broaden engagement with private-sector partners and leverage financial and digital innovation to develop investment opportunities and financing solutions that contribute to its development objectives and advance food security across Arab countries.
