The UAE is the new headquarter of International Islamic Food Processors Association

Image credit: IFPA

The United Arab Emirates has become the new headquarters of the International Islamic Food Processors Association (IFPA), a subsidiary of the International Organisation for Islamic Food Security (IOFS). The IOFS was established by the founding members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in December 2020.

IFPA’s mandate is to enable and promote intra-OIC trade and investment between agri-food private-sector businesses across the entire ecosystem and the supply chain from gene to fork in the OIC/IOFS Member States.

The new headquarters of IFPA was inaugurated by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at a ceremony held at the Al Etihad Museum.

The UAE to advance food security

The opening of the new headquarters was attended by Oussama Abdel Rahman Kaissi, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for Investment and Export Credit Insurance (ICIEC), dignitaries, state representatives from member states and business leaders.

Mariam Almheiri said, “We congratulate IFPA on the opening of the new headquarters, affiliated with the Islamic Organisation for Food Security in Dubai. This demonstrates the pivotal role played by the UAE in fostering strong trade relations within the OIC, promoting investments among the member countries, and developing the food industry.”

She added, “As part of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, and in view of the COP28 to be held later this year, we aim to accelerate work on adopting modern solutions for agriculture and nutrition at the local and global levels.”

IFPA was originally registered in the Astana Financial Center, Kazakhstan as it was one of the 16 programmes set out by the IOFS. The relocation of IFPA’s headquarters to the UAE underlines the country’s growing prominence as a global trade hub. The new headquarters is formed under the Dubai Association Centre located at One Central.

Despite the fact that more than 25 per cent of the world’s consumers come from OIC countries and spend around 15 per cent of the $8tn on food in 2021, there is a significant trade deficit in exports as many of them depend on imports from non-OIC countries for staple foods.

IFPA’s objectives include eliminating trade deficits, streamlining private partnerships and facilitating trade between OIC countries to ensure food security and sustainable processing and supply chains. Professor Yerlan A Baidaulet, director-general of the IOFS and chairman of IFPA, said, “There are several member states that are experiencing large trade deficits in many staples and many that have shortages. With this in mind, IFPA was established by IOFS to work with the private sector to address the food security challenges in these countries, not only to address the trade deficits but also to promote cooperation and trade among OIC countries and their exports to the world.”

Mariam Almheiri said “Transforming systems has become self-evident to secure a sustainable food supply and fight climate change by reducing emissions from traditional agriculture and food systems. Not only do we play a pivotal role as a regional centre for trade, but we are committed to strengthening cooperation and capacity building among OIC countries to enhance member states’ capacities in food security and climate change.”

As the share of food trade within the OIC varies widely from country to country, from as low as 3 per cent to 66 per cent, there is an excellent opportunity for OIC exporters to work with members who wish to import their goods.

Professor Yerlan A Baidaulet added, “Dubai being the hub for trade, especially for the food sector, we intend to support the intra-OIC market and address the challenges that exist from the new headquarters. While the muslim population is growing worldwide, the halal market globally is still dominated by non-OIC countries.”

The UAE will create an environment conducive to advancing agricultural research and development, investment and technology transfer, and sustainable supply chains.

Saleh Lootah, CEO of IFPA and Chairman of the UAE F&B Manufacturing Group, said, “As the world grapples with the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape, IFPA’s headquarters in the UAE, which is a hub for food security, sends a strong message of solidarity and cooperation.”