Dec 08, 2022

A business breakfast dedicated to the development of cooperation between the UAE and the Russian Federation in the field of food security takes place in Moscow

On December 8, Moscow hosted a business breakfast dedicated to the development of cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation in the field of agro-industry and food security. The event was organized by the UAE Embassy in Russia and Business Russia. During the meeting, representatives of 16 Russian companies presented their innovative projects and industry solutions.

The event was attended by Hamad Al Habsi, Deputy Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Russian Federation, Ahmed Alshehhi, First Secretary, Head of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the UAE Embassy in Russia, Maksim Zagornov, Business Ambassador of Business Russia to the UAE, as well as representatives of 16 Russian companies working in the field of agro-industry, agriculture, and food industry.

As noted by Deputy Ambassador of the UAE to the Russian Federation Hamad Al Habsi, food security is one of the priority topics for the United Arab Emirates. The National Food Security Strategy is being implemented in the country, aimed at supporting food suppliers and manufacturers, introducing advanced technologies and innovations in this area, as well as working through the legislative framework.

"Our task is to enable all citizens and residents of the UAE to have access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food at affordable prices at any time, including emergency situations and crisis periods," Hamad Al Habsi emphasized.

Thus, in 2020, the UAE adopted the federal Law No. 3 On the Regulation of Strategic Reserves of Food Commodities in the Country. The law provides a regulatory framework for the organization of food supplies in the periods of crises, emergencies, and disasters. The main objective of the law is to ensure uninterrupted food supplies to the UAE.

According to the First Secretary, Head of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the UAE Embassy in Russia Ahmed Alshehhi, in order to achieve the goals set in January 2022, the Food Security Council was established in the Emirates - an official body designed to ensure the implementation of the National Food Security Strategy. Today, the Council's efforts are focused on the implementation of five objectives of the strategy: facilitating global food trade and diversifying import sources; creating sustainable local production; reducing food waste; ensuring food security; increasing resilience to food security risks in times of crisis.

"There is a national vision of the UAE food security until 2051. The Emirates plans to become a world leader in this field. Our mission is to develop trade and food production, agriculture, to provide the residents of the UAE with food regardless of circumstances. We are interested in finding international partners to achieve the best results in this matter," Ahmed Alshehhi noted.

Business Ambassador of Business Russia to the UAE Maksim Zagornov thanked the UAE Embassy in Russia for the initiative on holding the event in such format and noted that Russia is one of the strongest players in the global food market. The country possesses great resources in agriculture, animal husbandry, crop production, and has a huge potential of advanced technologies in food industry.

"Russia fully provides itself with the basic food products - grain, fat-and-oil products, meat, fish. These same areas are the key ones for export. We have things to offer to the United Arab Emirates," Maksim Zagornov said.

During the meeting, entrepreneurs presented their products, innovative technologies, and advanced solutions. Representatives of 16 Russian companies took part in the business breakfast: Soyuzpishcheprom, NaDO, Arikon Group, SITNO, Cognitive Pilot, St. Petersburg Tractor Plant, EMBLE, SayYes, RusEkoFud, GATTO NERO RUS, Smart, UEC, Peroni, Rossini Victoria, Optimum. The companies presented a wide range of innovative food products, ranging from micro-greens, instant cereals, baby food, ending with meat delicacies and innovative plant-based beverages.

Summing up the meeting, First Secretary, Head of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the UAE Embassy in Russia, Ahmed Alshehhi noted that he had been impressed by the capabilities of Russian companies and their contribution to Russia's food security. The diplomatic official assured that the experience of these companies would be studied, everyone would also be supported in the matters of promotion in the UAE market.

The next business breakfast of Business Russia and the UAE Embassy in Russia will be devoted to cooperation in the field of high technologies.