Annual UAE-Turkey Partnership Forum on Food Security and Investment Opportunities

The food and agriculture industry is a massive component of the global economy.

For most countries, while the population growth rate is over 2.5%, their respective food production growth rates fall below 1.5%.

This means that countries are not producing enough food for their people. According to the UN Agency Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistics, 70% more food is required to be produced to feed the world population by 2050.

More food will be consumed over the next half century than that has been overall consumed by human beings since the down of the history. Climate change; as well as the viability of the weather and increasing number of droughts and catastrophic events among the main challenges.

In 2010 FAO estimated that poorly developed systems for handling, storage, packaging, transportation result in post harvest losses ranging from 15% to a staggering 50%. Investment in food infrastructure and better handling could reduce losses and improve food safety.

Since 90% of UAE's food consumption depends on imports and due to the strategic importance of food security, in recent years, GCC investment funds have been heavily reserved on agricultural farming and food industries across the globe to ensure sustainable food security.

Turkey's agricultural reforms implemented during the last 8 years, increased the agricultural production from $55bn to $62bn, rising Turkey to the 1st place in Europe and 7th in World. Turkey targets to increase its production to $150bn and exports to $40bn by 2023. With its unique geographical location, Turkey is considered to be one of the leading countries in the world in the field of agriculture and related industries.

Around 40% of Turkey's land area is arable and offers a large variety of products ranging from grain, pulses, oil seeds, fruits & vegetables, cut flowers to poultry, milk & dairy products and fishery. At present, Turkey has a population of almost 76 million, which is increasing along with the rising income and welfare. This makes Turkey one of the largest markets in its region as it changes the consumer habits of the younger generation, which is expected to boost domestic consumption.

This one-day forum will bring together the Senior Executives of the leading Food Industries from Turkey and potential investors from the GCC. The Forum will include interesting panel discussions, real-time case studies and detailed sectorial presentations by distinguished speakers.

The Forum will be launched by His Excellency Dr. M. Mehdi Eker, The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Livestock of the Republic of Turkey. Mr. Hakan Bahceci, the Chairman of The Turkish Business Council has extended invitations to senior representatives both from Turkey, the UAE, as well as the GCC region to take part in this important Forum, in order to support UAE's food security vision with the dynamic and sustainable food potential of Turkey.