Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, recently met with Mariam Al Kaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Cairo, alongside Saad Moussa, Supervisor of Egyptian Agricultural Quarantine and Foreign Agricultural Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture. Their discussions focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation in agricultural investment to foster a conducive investment environment between Egypt and the UAE.
Farouk commended the UAE’s substantial investments in Cairo across diverse sectors, particularly highlighting the progressive growth in agriculture under the stewardship of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. He underscored the longstanding historical ties binding the two nations and emphasized Egypt’s readiness to offer attractive opportunities for investment in agricultural activity.
The agricultural landscapes of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, though geographically distinct, share common ground in their strategic importance, historical ties, and potential for collaborative growth. As these nations navigate their unique agricultural challenges and opportunities, forging stronger bilateral exchanges holds immense promise for enhancing food security, economic resilience, and geopolitical stability in the region.
Egypt has its fertile Nile Delta and Valley, which has been a cradle of agriculture for millennia, cultivating crops like wheat, rice, and citrus fruits. Its agricultural sector serves as one of the main pillars of the economy, providing livelihoods to millions and sustaining domestic food production and exports. In contrast, the UAE, characterized by desert terrain, has leveraged advanced technologies to overcome water scarcity and produce high-value crops such as dates, vegetables, and flowers.
The UAE’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in diversifying the economy, ensuring food security through innovative practices and sustainable farming techniques. The delegation looked at bridging these two different agricultural landscapes to offer significant opportunities for mutual benefit. Egypt, with its extensive agricultural knowledge and robust production capabilities, can share expertise in traditional farming methods, irrigation techniques, and crop management suited to arid conditions.
In return, the UAE’s advancements in agri-tech, renewable energy applications, and sustainable farming practices can enhance productivity and resource efficiency in Egypt’s agricultural sector. Collaborative research initiatives and technology transfers could further bolster resilience against climate change impacts and ensure sustainable agricultural practices across both nations. The minister also stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and expanding the exchange of agricultural products.
Ambassador Al Kaabi affirmed her country’s keen interest in expanding investments in Egypt, particularly in sectors vital to food security, in line with the quadrilateral strategy involving Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Iraq. She highlighted potential areas for agricultural cooperation, including livestock and poultry production, fish processing, and packaging, particularly focusing on tuna.
Minister Farouk acknowledged Egypt’s global leadership in date production and proposed collaborative initiatives with the UAE to maximize the export potential and value-added manufacturing of dates, citing the establishment of the world’s largest palm farm in Egypt’s Toshka region as a testament to Egypt’s commitment to agricultural advancement. Beyond agricultural cooperation, UAE-Egypt relations are underpinned by strong political ties and extensive trade partnerships.
Both nations have historically collaborated on infrastructure projects, investment ventures, and diplomatic initiatives, contributing to regional stability and economic integration. The two countries are also engaging in renewable energy solutions, water management strategies, and climate-smart agricultural practices which can help mitigate environmental impacts and ensure long-term food security. The UAE and Egypt are pivotal players in regional trade dynamics, leveraging their strategic locations and economic diversification efforts to enhance trade flows across sectors.
Agricultural trade between the two nations presents avenues for expanding market access and driving economic growth. Joint investment ventures in agri-business ventures could unlock new opportunities for job creation, innovation, and sustainable development in both countries. Both parties agreed to facilitate Emirati investments across various agricultural sectors, with Egypt’s Minister Farouk directing relevant authorities within the ministry to promptly address any challenges encountered by Emirati companies.
An agreement was reached on establishing a robust follow-up mechanism to ensure the effective management and progress of shared projects and initiatives. Convergence of agricultural expertise, technological innovation, and strategic collaboration between the UAE and Egypt represents a transformative opportunity for fostering economic resilience, enhancing food security, and strengthening geopolitical ties in the region.
By harnessing their respective strengths and embracing a spirit of cooperation, both nations can chart a sustainable path towards prosperity and shared prosperity for generations to come. The discussions concluded on an optimistic note, underscoring the mutual commitment of Egypt and the UAE to deepen their agricultural cooperation, capitalise on respective strengths, and forge ahead with joint initiatives that promise to bolster food security, economic resilience, and regional stability.
