The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, accompanied by the Director General of the MEA ZONE Group, Musaed Al-Kharafi, visited the Kingdom of Morocco, where he met with the President of the University of Moroccan Chambers, Al-Hussein Alioui. They discussed the ongoing preparations for the organization of the Arab Food Security Conference and Exhibition 2023 "Food Industries and their Role in Achieving Food Security" in Marrakech in the Kingdom of Morocco, during the period between September 22-23. Jointly organized by the Union of Arab Chambers, the University of Moroccan Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Services, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in Morocco, Ministry of State for Future Food Security in Morocco. In cooperation with the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, the Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, and Meazone.
During the meeting, the Secretary-General stressed, "The convening of the conference comes in light of the challenges facing the whole world and the Arab world in food security due to the effects of the Corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change, which led to the deterioration of global food security levels. According to the latest statistics, 868 million people do not have enough food, while 25 countries around the world have been considered in deteriorating and high-risk situations. The surge in agricultural fertilizer prices has contributed to lower crop production around the world. Residents of developing countries suffer the most from high food prices, especially in Africa and the Arab world, where a large part of income is spent on food."
Dr. Khaled Hanafi praised the development and economic renaissance witnessed by the Kingdom of Morocco, and the great progress it has made in the agricultural fields, especially food, "where the Kingdom of Morocco is characterized by important elements in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and food processing thanks to its fertile agricultural soil, advanced industrial base, strategic location, and advanced transportation network. Which qualifies it to play an important role in diversifying production and marketing, as well as its importance as a basic logistical hub for manufacturing and export at the Arab and foreign levels."
He continued: The conference is held as a continuation of the previous seven conferences organized by the Union of Arab Chambers as part of its continuous efforts to enhance the role of the Arab private sector in investing in achieving Arab food security based on modern concepts and technology. The dynamism of the private sector and its ability to keep pace with developments in the fields of sustainability and technology to enhance production and food safety.
During his tour in Marrakech, Morocco, the Secretary General of the Union met with the President of the Marrakech Chamber Kamal bin Khaled, and the Governor of the Marrakech-Assafi region, Karim Kassi Helou.
Secretary-General Khaled Hanafi noted during the meetings that the choice of Marrakech to hold the Food Security Conference and Exhibition was due to the city's strategic location. “The city has a network of transportation and modern roads, and it has a railway and an international airport that is the second in Morocco in terms of passenger traffic. It is also a distinguished tourist destination and the real estate sector is very active in it, in addition to the development taking place in the road network that connects Marrakesh, and each of: the airport, the city of Agadir, and Casablanca has played an important role in supporting this sector, and thus attracting large numbers of investors.”
From Marrakech, the Secretary General of the Union moved to the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat, where he held meetings and talks with the President of the House of Councilors (Senate) and (Parliament), Mr. Naam Mayara, and the Moroccan Minister of Trade and Industry, Eng. Riad Mezour.
