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9/23/25, 4:54 PM Future Food Forum 2025 to Transform Food Sector as UAE F&B Market Eyes US$ 44 Bn Valuation by 2029 - Middle East Busines…
2025 offers a single-point agenda where these priorities can be unified with a clear forward
looking direction. We are keen to strengthen the UAE’s position in global food trade while

contributing to robust and more connected food ecosystems on a global scale.”

The Forum agenda includes the launch of the Cluster’s new initiatives such as a Knowledge Hub
for exchanging insights and best practices, and a Global Buyers Programme to connect local
producers with international markets. With the UAE serving as a gateway to the US$ 65 billion

GCC market[3], the Forum’s initiatives aim to strengthen local supply chains while fortifying

the country’s position as a regional hub for trade and food security.

Speakers at this year’s Forum will include senior leaders and experts from across the regional

and global food and beverage ecosystem. Alongside Saleh Lootah, the lineup features Rania
Abou Samra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & R&D at Nestlé Middle East & North

Africa, Dr. Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler Group, Tom Harvey, General Manager
– Commercial at Spinneys, and Jens Michel, CEO of Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD, Her

Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the Emirates Growth Fund,
Muhammed Ghassan Aboud, Chairman of Ghassan Aboud Group, and Rami Habbal, Chief

Executive Officer at GS1 UAE, among others.

Across two eventful days, the programme will include high-level ministerial sessions, technical

panels, CEO dialogues, and stakeholder roundtables. Discussions will cover trade opportunities
under CEPA agreements, supply chain resilience and infrastructure capacity, Industry 4.0 and

digital transformation in food manufacturing, as well as innovations in nutrition and emerging
food categories.

The Forum is presented by Food Tech Valley, with founding partners Almarai, Al Ain Farms, Al

Ghurair Group and IFFCO Group. DP World is also on board as trade enabling partner, while
Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD is the food market access and supply chain partner. Platinum
partners include Al Islami, Nestlé Middle East, RSA Cold Chain, and BRF, with GS1 UAE joining

hands as the innovation partner.

As the global F&B sector continues to expand, the outcomes of the discussions in Dubai are
expected to lay the foundation for stronger collaboration across the industry, supporting the

UAE’s ambition to make the sector a key contributor to economic diversification while
reinforcing its role as a long-term partner in the global food economy.

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