Page 477 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/16/25, 4:41 PM H.E. Abdulla bin Touq leads economic delegation to Switzerland to explore best practices in the development of food clusters
As part of the visit, the delegation participated in an event titled ‘Empowering Innovation in the Food
Sector and Building Food Clusters for a Sustainable Economic Future,’ held at the headquarters of
Bühler Group, a global leader in industrial and food solutions based in Uzwil, Switzerland. The event
brought together a distinguished group of private-sector representatives, industry experts, and decision-

makers from across the Swiss food sector and related institutions.

H.E. Bin Touq said: “The UAE has adopted an ambitious, strategic vision to develop an integrated and
pioneering model for food clusters, embedding it within the national economy. This forward-looking
approach charts a promising path that enhances economic and industrial integration across the country.

By connecting multiple sectors within the value chain - from agriculture and food manufacturing to
transportation and logistics - it drives sustainable development, boosts productivity, and advances
economic diversification. This broader impact reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for
food industries, economic activity, and advanced manufacturing.”

H.E. said in his speech the event: “The food economic cluster aims to nurture and empower new

generations of highly skilled producers and farmers, equipped with world-class expertise and global
knowledge of food and agricultural practices. Over the next five years, we expect this model to contribute
AED 10 billion to the GDP, increase trade volumes by AED 15 billion, and create 20,000 job opportunities

- all in line with the We the UAE 2031 vision to position the nation among the world’s top ten countries in
the Food Security Index."

H.E. added: “The UAE’s food sector continues to grow steadily, with the number of registered local and
international food brands reaching 40,486 by the end of the first half of this year. In 2024, the value of the
UAE’s trade in food products rose to AED 148.6 billion, marking a 16.8% increase compared to AED

127.2 billion in 2023. National food exports also grew by 10.9%, reaching AED 24.2 billion in 2024
compared to the previous year.”

His Excellency described the event as a valuable platform to forge new paths of collaboration between
UAE and Swiss food companies, particularly in developing advanced food clusters and cutting-edge

digital solutions. It also provides an opportunity to examine Switzerland's food innovation ecosystem and
identify its prominent stakeholders, given Uzwil’s status as a key hub for innovation in the food sector.
His Excellency presented the opportunities offered by the UAE’s Food Economic Cluster model, along
with the investment enablers and expansion potential tied to this vital sector.

The event featured a series of panel discussions and presentations highlighting the importance of

strengthening international partnerships and accelerating knowledge exchange to foster innovation in
the food sector. The sessions showcased global initiatives aimed at building a sustainable food system
and underscored Switzerland’s influential role in international food innovation and its active contribution
to shaping the future of food clusters around the world.

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