UAE-Tunisia forum puts spotlight on food innovation and private sector collaboration

TUNISA – The UAE-Tunisia Agriculture and Food Forum took place this week on the sidelines of the International Food Show Africa (IFSA Africa), with officials and business leaders from both countries coming together to boost collaboration in agriculture, food production, and supply chain innovation.

Hosted at Tunisia’s KRAM Expo Center, the forum was organized by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, alongside the UAE Embassy in Tunisia.

The event brought together key players from both public and private sectors, including Al Islami Foods, Emirates Bio Farm, and Iveco, with participation from international organizations and agri-tech startups.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, opened the forum by highlighting its importance to both countries’ economic goals.

“The UAE-Tunisia Food Business Forum is a valuable opportunity to strengthen communication between UAE and Tunisian private sectors and to explore new prospects and partnerships in the sector by exchanging expertise and experiences in developing the food value chain and creating sustainable solutions for food security,” H.E. Bin Touq said.

He emphasized that food security remains a top priority and called attention to the UAE’s focus on sustainable food production and advanced agricultural practices.

“It also serves as a distinguished platform to showcase the UAE’s achievements in the food sector and highlight the country’s pioneering capabilities in food manufacturing, advanced agricultural technologies, and sustainable food security initiatives,” he added.

The Minister noted that the UAE is working toward an integrated economic model where food-related sectors work closely together.

“At the forefront of this strategy is the food economic cluster, which integrates agricultural production, food industries, and cutting-edge agri-tech into a cohesive and collaborative system,” H.E. Bin Touq said.

“This synergy enhances competitiveness and empowers private sector enterprises operating within the food sector and its related industries.”

Private sector as a growth engine

H.E. Dr. Iman Ahmed Al-Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia, highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations. She underlined the role of UAE companies in driving forward agri-tech developments and promoting regional food security.

“UAE companies are regional pioneers in this sector,” she said. “The forum’s importance lies in bringing together major economic players to form real partnerships. We see strong opportunities, especially in food manufacturing and biological products, which could further elevate cooperation between both countries.”

UAE’s food sector continues to grow, with its contribution to non-oil GDP expected to reach 11 percent in 2024, up from 10 percent in 2023. This rise reflects strong local production and investment in food technologies.

Analysts project that the food and beverage sector alone will see a 5.1 percent annual growth rate through 2028, with the overall food system expected to generate between USD 38.3 and 40 billion in 2024.

Throughout the forum, participants held business meetings and shared ideas on smart agriculture, food processing, packaging, and supply chain technologies.

Companies presented solutions around vertical farming, alternative proteins, and modern logistics, while also discussing research partnerships to improve food resilience.

IFSA Africa, where the forum took place, remains the continent’s leading food industry event, gathering stakeholders from across the food value chain including producers, processors, distributors, and retailers.

By the end of the forum, both UAE and Tunisian delegates reaffirmed their commitment to continue investing in this vital sector, with strong focus on joint ventures, research, and sustainable growth.

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