Dubai – Establishing a food security agribusiness corridor between the UAE, Suriname and Caribbean countries was the main focus of a visit by Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, to the Republic of Suriname.

Taking place July 18-19, the visit by Her Excellency and other UAE delegates formed part of a food security itinerary to Latin America that has the aim of increasing international cooperation in the areas of food trade, agri-investments and research and development (R&D) across all aspects of the food supply chain.

Underpinning Her Excellency’s visit was a report compiled by the Minister of State’s Office of Food Security, with the support of the UAE embassy in Brasilia, that outlined the current barriers to Surinamese food trade in the Caribbean. The document gave a number of recommendations on how these could be overcome by leveraging the UAE’s leadership in logistics and support in R&D.

Realising the need for developing a robust cooperation framework, the delegation led by H.E. Almheiri included a number of senior officials and experts capable of developing integrated solutions covering all aspects of food security along the supply chain, including, pre- and post- harvesting, storage, transport and other logistical considerations. The areas of focus included ensuring food safety, promoting the agri-trade of high quality food products and maintaining price stability, as part of a larger picture of strengthening UAE national food security.

Among those in her team offering expert advice on the various elements were H.E. Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director - DP World-UAE Region; H.E. Nasser Mohammed Al Junaibi, CEO Farmers Service Centre - Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority; Ali Omar Abdullah, Director, Policies and Strategy Division - Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and Abdelrahman Almaazmi, Second Secretary in the UAE embassy in Brasilia.

“There is huge potential for Suriname to increase its food exports to become an important Caribbean food security partner and the UAE has the capacity to help the country realise this potential. My meeting with government officials responsible for the Surinamese food security sector was centred on enhancing cooperation and partnership between our countries to create a viable food security corridor – a worthy strategic objective that not only serves the UAE and Suriname, but serves also Caribbean countries that suffer a number of food production challenges, including adverse weather systems and a lack of fertile land for crop growing,” said

H.E. Almheiri.

Among the areas of discussion were how the commercialisation of Surinamese agri-products could serve the Caribbean community through economic free zones run by international port operator DP World - a global leader in logistics. DP World currently operates two terminals in Suriname The talks examined how the paperless mechanisms DP World has created and its advanced use of blockchain could support the need for the de-bureaucratisation processes that is currently impeding the exports of Surinamese agro-products.

Another area explored was how the UAE could use its experience and know-how with the UAE-based International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture to explore opportunities to improve yields, overcome drought challenges and train women in farming.

“Success in our food corridor initiative depends on mutual assistance and bilateral efforts to drive results,” Her Excellency added.

Her Excellency Almheiri’s agenda in Suriname concluded with an agreed framework between both governments covering four key topics to create the UAE–Suriname Food Corridor: connectivity, agribusiness and investments, R&D, and technical cooperation.

© Press Release 2019

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.