ADQ establishes new company, Silal, in Abu Dhabi to boost local food production

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ holding company has established a new company called Silal in the emirate to diversify food sources and increase locally grown, raised and manufactured food.

Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, who has over 25 years of experience, has been appointed as the CEO of Silal.

ADQ said that the new company will support the Abu Dhabi government’s efforts to secure food supply chains as well as boost productions and distribution of essential foods.

Further strengthening security of food supply chains in #AbuDhabi, @Adq_Official has established ‘Silal’, a new company that will diversify food sources and increase locally grown, raised and manufactured food. pic.twitter.com/aO0zUJB5F4

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) September 14, 2020

Designed to protect the overall food and agriculture sector and local farmers, Silal will focus on securing strategic food reserves.

Silal will also implement knowledge-transfer programmes related to desert farming technology and other R&D projects to support an increase in local production of fruits and vegetables from small farmers in the UAE, reported official news agency WAM.

“Through a number of programmes and initiatives, Silal will facilitate sustained production, sourcing and distribution of essential foods in Abu Dhabi for the benefit of retailers, farmers and the community. The name Silal, which means “baskets” in Arabic, denotes the variety and abundance of produce that is at the core of what the new company will deliver. Our team will work collaboratively across the entire value chain to ensure an adequate, reliable supply of fresh and longer-life food items for our local communities,” added the newly appointed CEO Al Dhaheri.

Read: UAE’s Pure Harvest to open $30m facility in Kuwait to supply retailer Sultan Center

“The creation of Silal helps to ensure that the UAE population has access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food at affordable prices. Silal also complements ADQ’s existing investments in the food and agriculture sector as we seek to expand this important economic cluster. Under Jamal’s leadership, Silal will benefit from his depth of industry experience as we deliver upon this key national initiative,” said Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi, chief investment officer at ADQ.

Read also: Rural Indian farmers can now connect directly to UAE food industry through new portal

Earlier this year, ADQ already announced its acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in Al Dahra Holding Company, a multinational agribusiness specialising in animal feed and essential food commodities. Agthia and Al Foah, which produce a range of food and beverages, are also part of ADQ’s food and agriculture portfolio through Senaat.

Last month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, instructed government entities to focus on food and water security objectives by monitoring national reserves, investing in food technologies and forging international partnerships too.

Read more: Sheikh Mohammed reiterates UAE’s drive to enhance food and water security