Leadership Summit 2025

Advancing UAE’s Food Sector
Through Trade, Investment, and Innovation

shape
shape

The Leadership Summit 2025 convened senior government officials, industry leaders, and investors to advance food security, trade, and innovation, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global food hub. Held at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, the summit facilitated high-level discussions, strategic partnerships,
and investment-driven initiatives.

  • 00

    +

    Years Of
    Experience

  • 00

    K

    Completed
    project

Join the UAE Food Cluster Initiative
shape

200+

Delegates

50+

Industry leaders

30+

Leading companies

Agenda

Feb 17- 20

  • Day 1

  • Day 2

  • Day 3

  • Day 4

09:30 - 10:00
17 Feb 2025
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 10:10
17 Feb 2025
Welcome Remarks

Saleh Lootah, Chairman, UAE Food & Beverage Business Group

10:10 - 10:20
17 Feb 2025
Fostering UAE-India collaboration in the F&B sector
Mr Piruz Khambatta, Chairman, CII National Committee on Affirmative
Action & Special Abilities & Chairman & Managing Director, Rasna International
10:20 - 10:30
17 Feb 2025
Food Cluster Progress

H.E. Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary of Policies and Economic Studies Sector, Ministry of Economy

10:30 - 10:40
17 Feb 2025
Guest of Honour Address

Chirag Paswan, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Food Processing Industries India

10:45 - 11:30
17 Feb 2025
Cluster Project Teams Meeting

Cluster Board CEOs

13:00 - 15:00
17 Feb 2025
Enabling the UAE Food Ecosystem - UAE F&B Regulatory Affairs, ne’ma, Cluster Review, Industry Annual Report and Foodverse Discussion

The session will focus on strengthening the UAE’s food ecosystem by harmonizing regulatory standards, exploring market trends and dynamics in KSA and UAE, and getting future ready with technological innovations to meet evolving consumer demands and global food security challenges.

13:30 - 14:30
17 Feb 2025
UAE F&B Industry Report
14:30 - 15:00
17 Feb 2025
Foodverse
15:00 - 16:30
17 Feb 2025
B2B Networking Meeting
16:30 - 17:00
17 Feb 2025
Networking Coffee Break
09:30 - 10:00
18 Feb 2025
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 11:00
18 Feb 2025
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology led discussion

This discussion explores the Make It In The Emirates program’s progress, the CEPA
Agreement’s role in fostering innovation and sustainable growth, and initiatives to empower the
Emirati workforce in F&B manufacturing. Insights will highlight investment opportunities, trade
expansion, and localization strategies driving the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
● Make It In The Emirates Value Video
● Opening Remarks
● Presentation 1 - Make It In The Emirates Value Proposition & Offtakes:
Maryam Albastaki / Fatma Hokal
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
● Presentation 2 - Exporting Opportunities: CEPA Countries
Mohamed Albreiki
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
● Exhibiting & Sponsorship Opportunities
Sumaya Al Marzooqi
Event Director – Make it in the Emirates , ADNEC
● Q&A

14:00 - 15:00
18 Feb 2025
UAE F&B Industry Annual Report Discussion

The session will present key insights from the UAE F&B Industry Annual Report, analyzing market trends, investment opportunities, regulatory shifts, and growth drivers. Discussions will highlight sector performance, evolving consumer demands, and future strategies, providing a comprehensive outlook on the UAE’s food and beverage manufacturing landscape for the year ahead.

15:00 - 16:30
18 Feb 2025
B2B Networking Meeting
16:30 - 17:00
18 Feb 2025
Networking Coffee Break
09:30 - 10:00
19 Feb 2025
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 11:00
19 Feb 2025
The Rise of SMEs in UAE F&B Manufacturing Sector

SMEs are reshaping the UAE’s F&B landscape, powering innovation, championing localization, and driving sustainability. As demand for agile, homegrown solutions rises, SMEs are shaping the future of the industry. The session will explore scaling challenges, regulatory support, funding opportunities, export potential, and strategies for long-term resilience.

House of pops presentation - Rise of SMEs

Mazen Kanaan - Co-Founder & CEO - House of Pops

12:00 - 13:00
19 Feb 2025
UAE F&B sector empowering students and the future workforce

The UAE’s F&B manufacturing sector is revolutionizing talent development through cutting-edge industry-academia collaborations, immersive internships, and skill-building programs. By fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world experience, it’s equipping students with the expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

14:00 - 15:00
19 Feb 2025
UAE F&B Industry Annual Report Discussion

The session will present key insights from the UAE F&B Industry Annual Report, analyzing market trends, investment opportunities, regulatory shifts, and growth drivers. Discussions will highlight sector performance, evolving consumer demands, and future strategies, providing a comprehensive outlook on the UAE’s food and beverage manufacturing landscape for the year ahead.

15:00 - 16:30
19 Feb 2025
B2B Networking Meeting
16:30 - 17:00
19 Feb 2025
Networking Coffee Break
09:30 - 10:00
20 Feb 2025
Registration and Networking Coffee
10:00 - 11:00
20 Feb 2025
UAE Foodverse

This session explores the UAE Foodverse, a groundbreaking digital ecosystem transforming theF&B sector.

Summit Highlights

Day 1
UAE-India Trade & Investment

Focused on enhancing UAE-India trade collaborations under CEPA, featuring:

  • Strategic addresses by senior government and industry leaders.
  • Investment discussions on cross-border trade and supply chains.
Day 2
Industrial Growth & Workforce Development

Explored trade agreements, manufacturing investments, and workforce expansion.

  • Make It In The Emirates – Insights on local value creation.
  • Exporting Opportunities in CEPA Countries – Strategic market access discussions.
Day 3
SME Growth & Innovation

Addressed policy support, funding, and market expansion for SMEs.

  • Scaling SMEs in UAE’s F&B Sector – Regulatory support and export growth.
  • Industry-Academia Collaboration – Enhancing workforce readiness.
Day 4
UAE-Estonia Collaboration & Digital Transformation

Focused on AI-driven food security and international partnerships.

  • FoodVerse & Digital Supply Chains – Innovations shaping the sector.
  • Bilateral Trade & AgTech – UAE-Estonia cooperation in technology and food security.

Strategic Focus

The summit aligned with the UAE’s national priorities, emphasizing

Economic Growth
and Investment

Food Security
and Sustainability

Technology
and Innovation in AgTech

Workforce Development
and Emiratization

Strategic Impact

Economic Growth & Investment

AED 10 billion projected GDP contribution.
Strengthened trade agreements and investment deals.

Workforce Development

20,000+ jobs in food production, logistics, and AgTech. Increased Emirati participation in key sectors.

Global Trade & Innovation

Strengthened partnerships with key international markets. Advancements in AI-driven supply chains and sustainable food production.

Looking Ahead

The Leadership Summit 2025 reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening food security, economic resilience, and trade expansion. The discussions and partnerships established during the summit will drive continued progress, ensuring long-term sustainability and global competitiveness in the food sector.

 

Stay tuned for the next edition….