2023 Agenda

09:00 - 10:00
20 September
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 10:05
20 September
MC Opens
10:05 – 10:10
20 September
Welcome Address
Saleh Lootah - Chairman, UAE Food & Beverages Manufacturing Group
10:10 - 10:15
20 September
Welcome Note
Ahmed Bayoumi - CEO, Berain Water / Conference Chair
10:15 - 10:20
20 September
Opening Address
Mohammad Ali Al Kamali - COO, Manufacturing and Exports Development, Dubai Industries and Exports
10:20 - 10:30
20 September
Keynote Address
Ebtesam AlKaabi - Head of Sales, JAFZA
10:30 – 10:40
20 September
Keynote Presentation
Youssef Mohamed - Alibaba.com MEA Managing Partner of JSC Middle East & Africa
10:40 - 10:55
20 September
Keynote Presentation – Unveiling the Future: Trends Shaping the Food and Beverage Industry
  • Decoding the technological advancements shaping the industry
  • Analysing the predictions for consumer preferences and market trends
Andrey Dvoychenkov - Managing Director, Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan, Nielsen
10:55 - 11:00
20 September
Keynote Speech
H.E. Yerlan A. Baidaulet - the Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS)
11:00 - 11:40
20 September
Panel Discussion – Boosting Food Security and Driving Environmental Sustainability
  • Ensuring Food Safety and Security through Investment and Initiatives
  • Strategies to reduce reliance on global supply chains and strengthen self-sufficiency
  • Building cross-border public-private partnerships to ensure food security
  • How Agri-Tech can contribute to enhancing food security in the Middle East
Moderator
Dr Ashraf Mahate - Chief Economist, Trade and Export Market Development, Dubai Industries and Exports
Panelists
Suresh Vaidyanathan - CEO, Abu Dhabi Food Hub
Andres Ponce Olias - Managing Director, Tilda
Ahmed Al Shaibani, Project Head, Food Tech Valley
Malachy Mitchell - Co-Founder & Managing Director, Farelly & Mitchell
Feras Al Soufi - General Manager, Emirates Crop One
11:40 – 12:00
20 September
Networking Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:00
20 September
India session
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force from 1st May 2022, is expected to increase the bilateral trade in goods to US$ 100 bn within five years. During the past one year, CEPA has made a significant impact on India’s Bilateral Trade with the UAE. The Bilateral Trade between India and the UAE has touched historic highs during FY 2022-23. Trade has increased from US$ 72.9 billion (Apr 21-Mar 2022) to US$ 84.5 billion (Apr 22-Mar 2023) registering a year-on-year increase of 16%. During the CEPA Implementation period (from May 22 to Mar 23), bilateral trade increased from US$ 67.5 billion (May 21-Mar 2022) to US$ 76.9 billion (May 22-Mar 2023) – an annual increase of 14%. The prime products with ample export opportunities in the UAE market are basmati rice, non-basmati rice, buffalo meat, sheep/goat meat, miscellaneous preparation, fresh onions, pulses, fresh mangoes, alcoholic beverages, cereal preparations, milled products, dairy products, mango pulp, bananas, grapes etc.

With India being the world’s second-largest food producer and a contributing partner in the UAE’s ambition to strengthen food security, the India-UAE CEPA is a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, that provides innumerable opportunities to strengthen and integrate sustainable practices into food processing, enables the creation of opportunities to minimize adverse environmental impact, reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system.
12:00 - 12:10
20 September
Opening Address
Piruz Khambatta - Chairman, CII National Task Force on Affirmative Action and Group Chairman, Rasna Pvt Ltd
12:10 - 12:20
20 September
Keynote address and Presentation and film on World Food India 2023
Mr Minhaj Alam - Additional Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
12:20 - 12:40
20 September
Panel discussion - Driving and Leveraging Sustainable Food Value Chains between India and UAE
Moderator
Mr Piruz Khambatta - Chairman, CII National Task Force on Affirmative Action and Group Chairman, Rasna Pvt Ltd
Panelists
Mr. Athang Jain - Director, Jain Farm Fresh Foods Limited
Mr Rahul Dhawan - Business Manager - Processed F&V, ITC Limited | Agri Business Division
12:40 - 12:50
20 September
Q&A and open discussion
12:50 - 12:55
20 September
Closing Address
12:55 – 13:35
20 September
Panel Discussion - Investing in the Future of Food and Beverage
  • Venture capital and funding trends in food tech startups
  • Impact investing and sustainable food initiatives: Future Outlook
  • Overview of government aided funding, collaborations and partnerships for industry innovation
Moderator
Seymone Moodley - Editor in Chief of Hotel and Catering News Middle East
Panelists
Sankha Biswas - CEO, Nutridor
Paul Thachil - Managing Director, Oils and Fats, IFFCO
Abdelrazak Al-Sharif - the Head of Programs, Sheraa
Abdalla Al Aboodi - Senior Vice President, Project & Corporate Finance, Wholesale & Institutional Banking (WIB) - Emirates Development Bank
Majed Julfar - Director of Trade Credit Insurance and Export Financing, Etihad Credit Insurance
13:35 - 14:35
20 September
Networking Lunch
14:35- 15:15
20 September
Panel Discussion - Exploring KSA’s diverse growth opportunities: Unveiling the Potential of the F&B Industry
  • Industry Outlook and Consumer Trends: Identifying Growth Opportunities
  • Understanding the growth opportunities, food innovations and technology advancements in the region
  • Revitalizing the food industry in line with Vision 2030 - Overview of the diverse opportunities and projects underlying this growth
Moderator
Ahmed Bayoumi - CEO, Berain Water
Panelists
Angelo Djaffardjee - General Manager, Digital Transformation, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group
Yuliia Hryhorash - Regional Brand and Marketing Communication Manager, BRF
Andrey Dvoychenkov - Managing Director, Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan, Nielsen
Mohammed Al Shuhail - Executive Vice President of Food Service, Almarai
Marcos Delorenzo - CEO of Agricultural Development Company Ltd
15:15 - 15:55
20 September
Regulatory Panel Discussion – Enhancing Food Environment in the MENA Region: Public-Private Initiatives for Sustainable Change
  • Key initiatives taken as part of national nutrition strategies and progress made
  • Food and beverages reformulation, challenges in the implementation and opportunities
  • Private sector’s role in driving healthier food innovation
  • Government-led strategies vs. company-specific goals and harmonizing food policies across the region
  • Consumer awareness, as a driver for successful nutrition programs
Moderator
Dr. Suzanne Baaghil - Head of Regulatory Affairs, PepsiCo and Chair of FBMG Regulatory Committee
Panelists
Mr Khalid Sharif - Ex CEO Dubai Municipality’s Environment, Health & Safety Control Department, UAE
Jawaher Al Dhuhoori - Standards Researcher, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology, UAE
Radwa Medhat - Head of Regulatory and Wellbeing – Kellogg’s MENAT and Food & Beverage Manufacturing Representative
Saad Alotaibi - Senior Food Regulatory Consultant, Federation of Saudi Chambers, Saudi
Matt Kovac - CEO Food Industry Asia, Singapore
15:55 -16:10
20 September
Promoting local produce: Filling the Gap for Food Security
  • Collaborating with retailers, and farmers to promote locally grown produce
  • Addressing the Challenges of Desert Agriculture: Innovations for Sustainable Solutions
  • Measures to grow self-reliant and adapt to disruptions in the global food supply chain
Shamal Abdulkhaliq Mohammed - Director, Agritech, Silal
16:10 - 16:20
20 September
Industry Report Showcase
Manisha Juneja - MENA Research Lead, Toluna
16:20 – 17:00
20 September
Panel Discussion- The Future of Food: Adapting to Changing Consumer Behaviour
  • Rise of conscious consumerism –are plant-based or flexitarian diets the new fad
  • Demand for organic, natural and clean label products - the unprecedented growth in this sector
  • Envisaging new product innovations, the rise of free-from foods and beyond
  • The Clean Label Movement: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Wellness Trends
Moderator
Manisha Juneja - MENA Research Lead, Toluna
Panelists
Ronald N.F. Holman - Event Director, Free From Food
Sooraj Matthew - Head of Commercial Al Futtaim Logistics
Valeria Krynetskaya - Head of Plant-Based Venture, IFFCO
Christina Abdo Doublichevitche - Head of Research & Innovation and Nutrition, Lipton
Sonya Kayani - Regional Communications Director, Greater Middle East & Central Asia - Tetra Pak
Khaled Khatib - Technical Head, Tate & Lyle
17:00 - 17:10
20 September
MC Closes
17:10 – 18:00
20 September
Networking Coffee
09:00 - 10:00
21 September
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 10:10
21 September
MC Opens
10:10 – 10:20
21 September
Opening Note – Conference Chair
10:20 - 10:50
21 September
Fireside chat - Boosting economic development and industrial growth through ICV measures - Think global, go local
Participants
Mr. Djamal Djouhri - CEO, AGRF (Al Ghurair Resources international LLC, Al Ghurair Oil and Proteins and Al Ghurair Foods)
10:50 – 11:20
21 September
Fireside Chat - Applying Innovation for a Sustainable Future: Embracing Circular Economy Principles
  • Role of food systems in global climate dialogue - Mitigating the Environmental Impact of the Food and Beverage Industry
  • Minimizing food waste and promoting food recovery initiatives
  • Applying innovations in Food Packaging for Sustainability and Safety
  • Building Sustainable Food Systems for the Future: Turning strategy to action
Participants
Amal Hassan Al Ahmadi - Head of Research and Development Section, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment UAE
Khuloud Al Nuwais - Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation
11:20 - 11:50
21 September
Networking Coffee Break
11:50 – 12:05
21 September
Exploring Collaboration and Partnerships for a Stronger Food Industry
  • Public-private partnerships driving research and development
  • Collaboration Across the Value Chain: From Manufacturers to Retailers and Farmers
  • Engaging Governmental Organizations: Advancing Sustainable Food Practices
Yehia Rizk - CEO and Chairman, Am Group, Egypt
12:05 - 12:45
21 September
Panel Discussion – How technology is transforming the Food Processing and Manufacturing Industry?
  • Determining innovations within Production, Supply Chain, and Quality Control
  • Tackling the challenges of Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications
  • Unlocking the power of big data analytics to increase efficiency, reduce waste and improve quality
  • Understanding the market readiness, challenges and acceptance of new technologies in this industry
Moderator
Nabil Alameddine - CEO, G.B. Logistics
Panelists
Mohammed Azeez ur Raheman - Team Lead, Yokogawa
Sahil Majeed - Manager & lead Auditor Health & Nutrition SGS
Niall Hoey - Cluster Director, SIG
Mohamed Aboud - Manager, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business Center, University of Dubai and IEEE TEMS VP for Membership and Marketing
Zulfiqar Hamadani - CEO, Tanmiah Group
12:45 – 12:55
21 September
Industry Report Showcase
Imtiaz Hashem - Country Manager, Kantar Worldpanel
12:55 – 13:35
21 September
Panel Discussion - Evolution of the F&B retail experience: Innovating for Success
  • Exploring the role of retailers in shaping today’s F&B ecosystem
  • Overview of Trends - Adapting to Changing Consumer Preferences
  • Examining the challenges and opportunities for innovation, flexibility and scalability within the industry
Moderator
Alexander van’t Riet - Partner, Lenoble Consultancy
Panelists
Tom Harvey - General Manager, Commercial, Spinneys
Haseeb Ur Rahman - Director Marketing, MENA, Friesland Campina
Ananya Narayan - Managing Director, Hunter Foods
Victoria Boldison - Founder, Bolst Global
Niels Groen - Chief Commercial Officer, Union Coop
13:55 - 14:55
21 September
Networking Lunch
15:00
21 September
Minister of Economy’s Arrival
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri - Minister, Ministry of Economy
15:00 - 15:40
21 September
Panel Discussion - Empowering Nationals: Localization for a Thriving F&B Industry
  • An overview of Gulf localization policies and regulations
  • Building a localization program – creating productive job opportunities
  • Beyond Job Creation: Retention, Progression, and Development Measures
  • Inspiring Success Stories: Best case studies from other GCC countries
Moderator
Richard Jackson - COO, TASC Outsourcing
Panelists
Fahad Aldrees - Chief Human Resources Officer, Almarai
Suaad Al Shammari - Head of Nationalisation GCC, Nestle
Salama Alhaj Alawadhi - Director of National Value Added Department, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
15:40 - 15:55
21 September
Ishraaq Session
15:55 - 16:05
21 September
Freej - Video
Mohammed Saeed Harib - Chairman of Lammtara Art Production
15:55 - 16:05
21 September
Keynote Address
H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei - CEO, Etihad Credit Insurance
16:15 - 16:20
21 September
UAE Food Platform and Event Video Recap
16:20 – 16:30
21 September
Special Address
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri - Minister, Ministry of Economy
16:30 - 16:40
21 September
MC Closes
16:40 - 17:30
21 September
Networking Coffee

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