Agenda
Future Food Forum 2024
- Forum Day One
- Forum Day Two
08:30 - 09:30
02 October
Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:00 - 09:40
02 October
MC Opens
09:40 - 09:50
02 October
Opening Remarks
Saleh Lootah, Chairman,
UAE Food & Beverages Manufacturing Group
09:50 - 10:00
02 October
Opening Address
H. E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister,
Ministry of Economy, UAE
10:00 - 10:10
02 October
Metaverse session
Sam Clever, Chief Executive Officer, Nostraverse Group
10:10 - 10:40
02 October
Fireside Chat
GCC Tackling the Global Food Crisis: From Challenges to Solutions
GCC Tackling the Global Food Crisis: From Challenges to Solutions
- What are the real impacts of the global food crisis, and how can we tackle them head-on?
- Learn how leading food-producing countries are stepping up to reshape value chains beyond mere profit.
- Explore innovative strategies for rebuilding infrastructure in disrupted communities and making a lasting impact.
Alex Reuter, Partner and Founding Member, deNovo Partners
Panelists
Abdullah Albader, CEO, Almarai
Arnoud van den Berg, Group Chief Executive Officer, Al Dahra Group
10:40 - 11:10
02 October
Fireside Chat
Collaborating Across the Value Chain: Building Resilience and Innovation in the F&B Industry
Collaborating Across the Value Chain: Building Resilience and Innovation in the F&B Industry
Moderator -
Ahmed Bayoumi, CEO, Berain Water
Panelist
Mohamed Alhashemi, CEO, Union Coop
11:10 - 11:40
02 October
Networking Coffee Break
11:40 - 12:20
02 October
Panel Discussion
Securing Our Future: Food Security in a Changing Climate
Securing Our Future: Food Security in a Changing Climate
- Can innovative technologies be the key to ensuring global food security?
- How are shifting climate patterns affecting our food production? Exploring the real impacts and the adaptive strategies being employed globally.
- Decoding the successful partnerships that are making a difference in securing food supplies and what we can learn from these collaborations.
Moderator -
SeifAllah Rabie, Partner, UAE Managing Partner, LOGIC Consulting
Panelists -
- Suresh Vaidyanathan, CEO Special Projects, Ghassan Aboud Group & CEO - Abu Dhabi Food Hub
- Abdul Jabbar, CEO of Oils & Fats for Afghanistan, Somaliland, and Central Asia, IFFCO Group
- Kenneth Dcosta, Managing Director, Barakat
- Hassan Halawy, General Manager - Elite Agro Projects
- Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer for Parks & Zones, DP World GCC
12:20 - 12:35
02 October
From Dubai to the World: Shaping the future of the food industry
The F&B sector in the UAE is poised to witness remarkable growth, driven by dynamic market trends and strategic initiatives. This session will delve into the factors propelling the expansion of the food trade, uncover opportunities in the industry, and highlight the key infrastructure developments that are positioning the UAE as a global hub for food innovation and trade.
Yusuf Tambawala, VP Growth & Business Support for Parks & Zones at DP World GCC
Yusuf Tambawala, VP Growth & Business Support for Parks & Zones at DP World GCC
12:35 - 13:15
02 October
Panel Discussion
Empowering SMEs: Enhancing the Startup and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in the
UAE's F&B Manufacturing Industry
Empowering SMEs: Enhancing the Startup and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in the
UAE's F&B Manufacturing Industry
- Boosting SME access to funding, including grants, loans, and venture capital
- Where does the future lie? Exploring investment opportunities and market entry strategies.
- Fostering innovation and market expansion with opportunities for SMEs to innovate and expand
Moderator -
Ananya Narayan, CEO, Hunter Foods
Panelists-
- Majed Abdulkarim Julfar, Director of Trade Credit Insurance and Export Financing
- Abdulla Al Hamed, Vice President, mSMEs, Emirates Development Bank
- Noor Shawwa, Managing Director, Endeavor UAE
- Tom Harvey, Commercial General Manager, Spinneys
- Rashi Chowdhary, Founder, Plaay
Live Polling
13:15 - 14:15
02 October
Networking Lunch
14:15 - 14:55
02 October
Panel Discussion
GCC Market Dynamics: Competitors or Collaborators?
GCC Market Dynamics: Competitors or Collaborators?
- Is the GCC F&B market more competitive or collaborative? Analyze the dynamics and see where opportunities lie.
- Discover how regional players can work together for mutual benefit in a highly competitive landscape.
- Discuss strategies for navigating the unique market conditions in the GCC and turning challenges into opportunities.
Moderator -
A.Alexander van ’t Riet, Partner, LeNoble Management Consultancy
Panelists -
- Mohammed Al Shuhail, Executive Vice President of Food Service, Almarai Company
- Vidya Shah, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Food Hub
- Andres Ponce Olias, Managing Director, Tilda
- Fethi Khiari, CEO, United Foods Company
- Igor Marti, Vice President & General Manager - Halal Business Unit, BRF
14:55 - 15:35
02 October
Panel Discussion
Sustainable Value Chains: Packaging, Circularity, EPR and Community Impact
Sustainable Value Chains: Packaging, Circularity, EPR and Community Impact
- How can sustainable packaging and circular economy practices redefine the industry?
- How are EPR and circular economy models driving the shift towards sustainable packaging and waste reduction in the F&B sector?
- Understanding the local economic contributions of sustainable practices and their broader implications.
- Success stories from the F&B industry that showcase the tangible benefits of integrating EPR, circularity, and sustainable packaging into business operations.
Moderator -
Aruna Narayanan, Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact Solutions
Panelists -
- Jerome VIRICEL, General Manager RECAPP, VEOLIA MIDDLE EAST
- Sergei Kiselev, Head of R&D, Al Ain Farms
- Abdulaziz Albader, Head of Sustainability – Almarai Company
- Alia Gamil, Head of Communications,Tetrapak
15:35 - 16:15
02 October
Panel Discussion
Redefining Supply Chains: E-Commerce and Quick Commerce Innovations
Redefining Supply Chains: E-Commerce and Quick Commerce Innovations
- Is technology truly revolutionizing supply chains, or is it just a trend? What are the profound changes driven by tech advancements
- Exploring insights into the latest market trends that are reshaping the F&B landscape.
- Case studies of the most efficient and responsive supply chain models that are setting new standards.
Moderator -
Ryan Harmon, Editor, Logistics Middle East
Panelists -
- Melahat Yildirim, Director - Procurement, IFFCO
- Nadir Saigol, CEO, Saigol & Gulf SMITHS
- Rashid Gargash, Founder, RashTions
- Ben Kremer, Managing Director, Crowe
- Live Polling
16:15 - 16:25
02 October
MC Closes
9:00 - 10:00
03 October
Registration and Welcome Coffee
10:00 - 10:10
03 October
MC Opens
10:10 - 10:50
03 October
ISHRAQ Awards
10:50 - 11:20
03 October
Fireside Chat
Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: ISHRAQ Program Developing National Talent within the F&B industry
Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: ISHRAQ Program Developing National Talent within the F&B industry
- Exploring the future of ISHRAQ program - Innovative Strategies and Policies for National Talent Development
- Analyze the future landscape of work in the region, the role of public-private partnerships and government initiatives in fostering a sustainable and inclusive workforce
- Identifying key challenges and opportunities and adopting best practices in the Middle East context
Moderator -
Shurooq Al Banna, Specialist - Investment & PPP Department, Dubai Health Authority, UAE
Participant -
Dr Eesa Al Bastaki, President, University of Dubai
11:20 - 11:40
03 October
Keynote Presentation
Future Forward: Accelerating Growth in the Food Industry
Future Forward: Accelerating Growth in the Food Industry
- Explore the growing consumer focus on health and wellness in reshaping product development across various industries, as brands are responding with innovations that cater to the evolving customer preferences
- Highlighting the role of both established global brands and emerging manufacturers in the food industry looking at food as medicine.
- Leverage and utilize technology to enhance product development, such as AI for personalized nutrition and data analysis.
11:40 - 12:10
03 October
Networking Break
12:10 - 12:25
03 October
Composable MES towards Sustainable F&B Production
- A paradigm shift has been observed in MES implementation and encourage innovative solutions to tackle challenges and sustainability on F&B production.
- Composability allows manufacturing execution solution to tailor and scale the solutions.
- Share how composable MES support faster deployment and improve integration to revolutionize how systems are governed, managed and maintained.
Dr. Darius Ngo, Senior Vice President of MEA and Deputy Head of Solutions Division Japan Headquarters, Yokogawa
12:25 - 13:05
03 October
Panel Discussion
The Road to Zero Food Waste :Bridging the Gap Between Excess and Need
The Road to Zero Food Waste :Bridging the Gap Between Excess and Need
- Explore how digital platforms and AI solutions connect surplus food from businesses to communities in need.
- Discuss the importance of public-private partnerships in scaling food redistribution initiatives effectively.
- Discover community engagement strategies to promote sustainable consumption and reduce food waste.
Moderator -
Seda Solmaz, Founder & CEO, Idea Atelier
Panelists -
- Khuloud Al Nuwais, Secretary General, ne’ma Committee
- Shehzad Ahmad, Founder, Lever Bridge Company
- Anurag Shukla, Executive Vice President, Foods Business, Al Ghurair
- Ovidiu Coroian - Production and Manufacturing Director - ADC (Tanmiah’s Poultry division)
13:05 - 13:25
03 October
Keynote Presentation
Unveiling New Trends of UAE FMCG Shoppers
Unveiling New Trends of UAE FMCG Shoppers
- How are shoppers adapting their behavior in the face of price inflation?
- Are discounters and private labels gaining momentum?
- Is e-commerce becoming a key battleground for brands?
Live Polling
13:25 - 14:25
03 October
Networking Lunch
14:25 - 15:05
03 October
Panel Discussion
Clean Label Movement: Transparency and Trust in Food Manufacturing
Clean Label Movement: Transparency and Trust in Food Manufacturing
- What does the clean label movement mean for manufacturers and consumers?
- How can transparency in labeling build consumer trust and loyalty?
- Discover the latest trends and regulations in clean labeling practices.
Moderator -
Soniya Ashar, Founder, NutriCal
Panelists -
- Sahil Majeed, Technical Manager, SGS Gulf
- Ronald Holman, Event Director, FREE FROM FOOD DUBAI 2024 & VIENNA 2025 AUSTRIA
- Yuri Lebedeff, R&D Director - Protein Business, Americana Foods
- Mazen Kanan, Founder, House of Pops
- Zubair Ahmad, Director Marketing & International Sales, Al Islami Foods
15:05 - 15:45
03 October
Panel Discussion
Franchising Frontiers: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in the UAE and Beyond
Franchising Frontiers: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in the UAE and Beyond
- Explore the unique challenges of expanding UAE-based franchises abroad and bringing international franchises into the UAE
- Which emerging trends and opportunities are reshaping the franchising landscape?
- How can franchises adapt to evolving market realities and consumer expectations?
Moderator -
Thuraya Taleb, Founder, Restaurateurs
Panelists -
- Simon Ritchie, Head of Communications
- Nasser Almessabi, CEO, Low Calories Restaurant LLC
- Mohamed Younes, General Manager, Hadoota Masreya
Live Polling
15:45 - 15:55
03 October
MC Closes