Page 482 - 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 - Mid…
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.

The delegation also visited the Swiss Nutrition & Food Valley, a pioneering model of food

clusters dedicated to developing sustainable and effective food solutions in line with the global

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