AAAID, Nabat Agricultural and MEVAC Explore Opportunities to Advance the Date Palm and Dates Sector and Boost Investment

AAAID, Nabat Agricultural and MEVAC Explore Opportunities to Advance the Date Palm and Dates Sector and Boost Investment

Date: 30 Aug, 2026

H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), met with H.E. Eng. Hatem Al-Shammari, Chairman of Nabat Agricultural Holding Company, and his delegation at AAAID's main office on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
The meeting explored opportunities for cooperation and investment in the date palm and dates sector, with a particular focus on the development and propagation of high-quality and improved varieties, expanding their cultivation across Arab countries, and replacing older, economically less viable varieties. These efforts aim to improve farmers' economic returns and contribute to the development of oasis economies.
H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi reaffirmed AAAID's commitment to supporting projects aimed at developing the date palm sector and enhancing date production, given the sector's significant economic contribution to Arab food security, as well as its cultural and social significance.
For his part, H.E. Eng. Hatem Al-Shammari highlighted the efforts of Nabat Agricultural Holding Company and its subsidiaries in research and development and the propagation of selected and improved varieties. He also presented the Group's operational capabilities, technical and academic partnerships, and its role in supporting efforts to advance the date palm and dates sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Arab region.
The two sides agreed to coordinate their efforts and develop a joint investment plan to support the advancement of the date palm and dates sector and expand date palm cultivation, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and in support of enhanced Arab food security.
The meeting also addressed opportunities for cooperation in laboratory research and biotechnology applications, with the participation of H.E. Dr. Magdy El Sayed, Chairman of Middle East for Vaccines (MEVAC), to explore the potential use of dates and their derivatives in biotechnology applications related to the development of human and veterinary vaccines.
Representing AAAID at the meeting was Mr. Talal Akeil, Director of the Direct Investment Department. Nabat Agricultural Holding Company was represented by Mr. Abdulaziz Al Shammari, Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Fahad Al Shammari, Director of Resources Management. Also attending from EADS International were Dr. Mohamed Riyad, Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Nihal Nabil, Vice President for International Partnerships.