Kezad enhances UAE vision for food security via largest integrated hub

Abu Dhabi / WAM

By enhancing its integrated ecosystem and strengthening the food supply chain, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad group) is working to realise the UAE’s vision of becoming the world’s best on the Global Food Security Index by 2051.
Kezad is participating in the 28th edition of Gulfood, one of the largest F&B sourcing events in the world, to showcase its products, services and business solutions, and create a strong understanding among the more than 5,000 companies from 125 countries participating in the event.
It will be an opportunity for these companies to see how Kezad creates possibilities in the food sector by providing the right environment for growth and success. Visitors to the event will be able to see key benefits Kezad has to offer and hear of the experiences of companies already operating in the sector within the Kezad ecosystem.
Kezad’s food sector ecosystem is currently spread over more than 7 million square metres (7.3 square kilometres) including 3.3 square kilometres dedicated for the Abu Dhabi Food Hub – Kezad, and more than 40 global, regional and local companies currently operating in the ecosystem.
Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports group, said, “The UAE has taken bold steps since the formation of the country in line with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the Nation, with moves towards building a sustainable farming ecosystem to achieve ultimate food security. At Kezad, we are fully aligned with this vision and have made great strides in supporting its realisation, as we move to secure food sources today and in the future. We continue to monitor the latest trends and bring innovation and best in market solutions to Abu Dhabi to overcome any challenges in achieving our goals.”
Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – Kezad group, stated, “In light of the vision of the wise leadership, Kezad group has taken several measures to enhance its food ecosystem through local and international
collaborations and dialogue.”
We have also attracted investments and clients in new technologies to make Abu Dhabi the regional hub for food. Our Abu Dhabi Food Hub, in collaboration with Rungis International and our hosting of the World Union of Wholesale Markets conference in Abu Dhabi are examples of how we are leading the industry in thought and action. As we showcase our capabilities and experience in Gulfood 2023, we are determined to enhance the value proposition for our food ecosystem, and we invite all to visit our stand and see what we offer in terms of capabilities and opportunities to reach the world.”
Kezad group’s food ecosystem includes some of the world’s largest brands, including Sadia, Pinar, Oasis, Nestle, Lacnor, Al Kabeer and AlDahra Kohinoor.
Upcoming projects in Kezad include an AED110 million facility by Pran foods spread across more than 42,000 square metres, to locally produce and export throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, and a 2 million sqm facility with expansion plan by another 3 million sqm for the establishment of an Al Rawabi dairy production facility. The dairy farm, with an investment of AED650 million will be home to 10,000 Al Rawabi cows and increase their export efforts across the wider GCC region.
Hala Badri affirmed that Dubai Culture is keen to strengthen the UAE’s cultural friendship with other countries, which falls within the framework of the Authority’s commitment to activate cultural and creative community exchange. “We are proud of our relationship with other cultures, as it brings forth the UAE’s soft power and positive reputation on the international scene, and hosting the ‘Dubai in the Year 1962’ exhibition expresses the depth of Emirati-Japanese relations, by celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding. The exhibition provides a special insight into Dubai’s history, heritage, and the customs and traditions of its society as well as its leading global position, and includes a collection of exceptional photographs documenting various scenes in the emirate.”
Badri stressed that the exhibition demonstrates the creativity of a Japanese photographer, Yoshio Kawashima, and the realism of his images, adding, “Such exhibitions represent important platforms through which we look at the achievements of talent that work to explore aspects of human creativity, and contribute to enriching the thought and culture of society, which was embodied by a Japanese photographer, Yoshio Kawashima, in his photos that document important moments of Dubai’s history. Our hosting of the exhibition in Al Safa Art & Design Library cements the emirate’s position on the global cultural map as an attractive destination for creative talent in various disciplines.”
The collection of black and white photographs showcases Dubai’s heritage and daily life before the emergence of oil, and the strong relationship that brought together the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the people of Dubai and his daily meetings with them at his majilis, in addition to highlighting the population around Al Fahidi Fort, which today houses Dubai Museum, as well as the creek banks, and the vitality of trade in the popular markets.
The Kawashima’s photos reemerged in 2008, when one of them was gifted to HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, by Kimi Makishima- Akai, who met Kawashima and Kato when she was working at Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Tokyo.
The display is a testament to the prosperity and strength of diplomatic and trade relations between Dubai and Japan, and evidence of the qualitative leaps achieved by the emirate over the decades.