- Partnership aims to enhance the development of food security and encourage the development of food clusters at ports and industrial zones-

Abu Dhabi-UAE: – Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as Fujairah Terminals and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Food Security Centre – Abu Dhabi, to enhance the development of the food industry on both ends.

The MOU was signed between Khalifa Al Ali, Managing Director of Food Security Centre and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO during a ceremony held on November 15 at the inaugural edition of AGRISCAPE 2017, the world's first international exhibition on agricultural investments.

The newly established partnership will see closer collaborations between both parties to enhance the food security sector, in addition to the development of the food industry and the establishment of food clusters at ports and industrial zones. In addition to covering the entire spectrum that falls under food security including production, processing, circulation, distribution, import and export of food products.

His Excellency Khalifa Al Ali, Managing Director of Food Security Centre, highlighted the important role played by UAE government and private sector entities to drive the food security strategy. He said, "Abu Dhabi Ports is one of our key strategic partners and through its world class ports assets as well as KIZAD, they have taken important steps to bolster the food processing and manufacturing in the region with an aim to achieve a sustainable environment, promoting national food security".

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The second biggest sector in the UAE is food and there is growing importance of UAE food security, which is why strategic partnerships such as this one are essential. Our partnership with the Food Security Centre, is one of the many initiatives we have initiated, as part of our commitment to prioritise food security, which is one of the UAE government’s key priorities.”

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Abu Dhabi Ports: 
Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the Port of Fujairah, as well as the trade and logistics hub, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), in which Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone attracts direct investments to over 100 km2 of free zone opportunities, the largest in the Middle East region.

Inaugurated on Dec 12, 2012 by President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khalifa Port is the flagship port of Abu Dhabi Ports and is considered to be the first semi-automated container port in the region. Abu Dhabi Ports also owns 50% of Abu Dhabi Terminals, which operates and manages Khalifa Port Container Terminal with a full suite of logistics solutions to benefit trade partners and shipping lines. In addition to the current capacity of 2.5 million TEUs, the recent deal Abu Dhabi Ports signed with COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited, which is expected to commence operations by 2019, will raise the annual capacity to 6 million TEUs in both container terminals.

Abu Dhabi Ports’ subsidiaries include Abu Dhabi Marine Services “SAFEEN”, providing a comprehensive range of marine, navigational and ancillary quayside services as well as VTS Services and fleet maintenance in a safe, secure and efficient manner; Maqta Gateway, which operates an innovative port community system, facilitating online information flow between all the port stakeholders and customers; and Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, the first permanent cruise terminal in the region. To meet the increasing demand of cruise liners and passengers, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach was developed, offerings cruise ship passengers a new beach destination with unmatched tourism experiences. Additionally, Abu Dhabi Ports also manages the Maritime Training Centre at Musaffah Port.

© Press Release 2017