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ABU DHABI / WAM
The Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment “IKTIFA”, affiliated with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Emirates Macaroni Factory. Under the agreement, the factory will manufacture all types of “Saba’ Sanabel” organic pasta, which is made from wheat grown at the Maliha farm, which contains 19.3% protein, the highest globally. The agreement was signed during the “Make it in the Emirates 2025” exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Signing on behalf of the parties were Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, CEO of the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment “IKTIFA,” and Ahmed Saeed Belyouha, Chairman of the Emirates Macaroni Factory. This milestone agreement took place at the UAE’s leading industrial event, where the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and its investment arm, “IKTIFA”, are showcasing projects from Sharjah’s sustainable organic food security system, along with a variety of its organic products.
According to the agreement, the Emirates Macaroni Factory will manufacture “Saba’ Sanabel” organic pasta using world-class sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This collaboration ensures the continued availability of high-quality, healthy products from “IKTIFA” and supports the expansion of the “Saba’ Sanabel” product range across the UAE.
The initiative is aligned with Sharjah’s sustainable organic food security framework and reinforces the objectives of the “Make it in the Emirates” initiative by boosting local production and reducing reliance on food imports in critical sectors.
Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji stated, “In line with the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment ‘IKTIFA’ is committed to strengthening its partnerships with the private sector. This effort supports our goals of expanding our diverse range of organic and safe products for all segments of society.” He added, “We remain committed to working collectively to deliver clean, safe food that enhances the overall quality of life in the UAE.”
Khalifa Al Tunaiji further emphasised that the increasing focus on local industries—particularly the organic sector—marks a significant milestone in the development and growth of national capabilities. “It fosters an environment that promotes collaboration between the public and private sectors, while accelerating the integration of advanced technologies. This transformation is clearly evident at the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ exhibition, which has emerged as a pivotal platform for driving industrial progress and positioning the UAE as a global leader in safe, organic food production,” he said. He emphasised that IKTIFA is a crucial part of this ecosystem, playing a significant role in providing safe, organic food to all segments of society. Khalifa Al Tunaiji pointed out that the agreement with the Emirates Macaroni Factory to produce all types of “SABA’ SANABEL” organic pasta was made due to the factory’s status as one of the leading national institutions. With nearly fifty years of experience, it is also the first factory in the UAE and the region to specialise in pasta and its derivatives. Ahmed Saeed Belyouha, Chairman of the Emirates Macaroni Factory, said that the partnership with the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment (IKTIFA) marks an important milestone towards a more sustainable future for organic food production in the UAE.
Since its establishment, Emirates Macaroni Factory has remained committed to delivering high-quality products that meet international standards and reflect the evolving aspirations of consumers in the UAE and the wider region. “This agreement allows us to further advance our path of growth and innovation, a journey that has lasted over fifty years in the pasta and its derivatives industry,” he added.