AAAID And Ghitha Forge MoU To Strengthen Arab Food Security And Agricultural Cooperation

The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghitha to deepen cooperation on regional food security. The agreement links AAAID with the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company portfolio firm, creating a shared framework for agriculture investment and food systems development across Arab countries.

Under the MoU, both sides plan to coordinate strategic projects that support food supply chains. These include joint initiatives to build resilient production, maintain essential reserves and improve access to key commodities in line with national and regional food security objectives.

The understanding was signed at the AAAID head office by Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, and Basim Mohamed Al Saie, Chairman of Ghitha. The two chairs formalised cooperation covering production, storage, distribution and market access for food and agribusiness.

Dr. Al Zaabi stated, "This MoU represents an important step toward strengthening effective Arab partnerships in agriculture and food security. It reflects AAAID’s commitment to supporting sustainable investment initiatives that contribute to food security and the development of the agricultural sector across Arab countries, through cooperation with leading national institutions such as Ghitha".

Beyond direct investments, the MoU sets out plans to strengthen technical collaboration. Both organisations will arrange mutual visits, joint field engagements and specialist consultations between their teams, helping transfer practical expertise and refine agricultural and food security practices used across their projects.

The agreement also opens the door to developing and scaling new products and services. AAAID and Ghitha intend to use their affiliated companies to test, expand and market innovative food and agriculture solutions, while drawing on Ghitha’s operational experience and growing portfolio in Bahrain and wider markets.

Key cooperation areas described in the MoU include production support, strategic stocks, logistics and data sharing.

Market access is another main pillar of the partnership. The entities will work together to identify strategic opportunities in regional and international markets, exchange market intelligence and research data, and use joint analyses to guide investment planning and policy discussions across the Arab region.

Ghitha manages a group of national food sector companies that contribute to Bahrain’s food security strategy. Over the next five years, Ghitha plans major expansions and targeted investments, including partnerships with private food companies, aiming to increase growth, strengthen operations and widen its reach locally, regionally and globally.

For his part, Al Saie said, "The MoU represents a strategic opportunity to exchange expertise and expand cooperation in the food and agribusiness sectors, in support of Bahrain’s food security goals and sustainable development." The agreement supports wider Arab efforts, relevant to Gulf states and the UAE, to build sustainable and reliable food systems.

With inputs from WAM