The Saudi private sector plans to explore investment opportunities in the agricultural sector in 10 Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, official data revealed on Saturday.
The Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC) had presented a comprehensive and detailed list on the future projects in the specified countries, to benefit the companies and institutions operating in the Kingdom and give them the opportunity to expand their businesses abroad and achieve their goals.
According to the information obtained, the FSC received a letter from the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC) on the existing cooperation with the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID).
The AAAID was established in 1976 and contributes to the capital of 53 major agricultural companies across 12 Arab countries.
The information revealed that the agricultural investment opportunities are available in Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The FSC called on the interested private sector companies to review the available opportunities.
Asharq Al-Awsat obtained a copy of the list, which indicated that the opportunities available in the Kingdom lie in contributing to the financing of projects through loans or equity to complete the implementation of the hatchery’s second phase.
This would increase the capacity to 80 million eggs per year, as well as maternal farms to produce chicks and establish a fodder factory.
Investors could also participate in or contribute to fully exploiting the production capacity of the Arab Sea Goods Factory in Jeddah (west of the Kingdom).
They can also contribute to the reoperation of the first phase of a special project on shrimp on an area of 700 hectares and the completion of the following phases.
The private sector also has great chances to participate in investment opportunities in Sudan, where there are nearly 11 projects, topped by the contribution to increase the capital of the Arab Sudanese Seed Company, modernize its assets and components and introduce modern technologies.
In addition to that, they can ink strategic partnerships with an international seed company, benefit from its expertise in producing hybrid seeds for the targeted crop varieties, expand its activities and export its products to the markets of neighboring countries.
The list also revealed investment opportunities in Morocco, noting that investors can contribute to the capital of a project related to vegetables, fruits, concentrated juices and jams, as well as all kinds of berries, citrus, olives and virgin olive oil.
As for Mauritania, it has projects related to cherry tomatoes, melon, green beans, fruits, potato and rice seed propagation.
The opportunity lies in participating or contributing to increasing the capital of the company operating in the sector to expand its activities in the field of agricultural services.
This in addition to another project that includes the production of a group of agricultural crops, a large part of which will be allocated for export, as well as contributing to the establishment of all poultry meat and table eggs.
According to the list, there are four projects in Tunisia, most notably the rehabilitation of a raw milk, wheat and fodder crops project.
Investors can also contribute to the capital of the Tunisia Fisheries Fund, as well as an opportunity to extract Fitura oil, increase production capacities, and provide loans for the implementation of cooling, grading and packaging units for peaches, apricots, plums, apples, citrus fruits and potatoes.
The AAAID set specific criteria for the projects it plans to invest in in the future that come in line with its strategy.
They cover the operational and financial aspects and enable direct and quick verification of the extent to which these projects are compatible with the authority’s strategy.
