Ministry of Environment and Water signs strategic MoU with Norway Fishing Foundation and Informa Middle East Limited
August 26, 2014 - The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nor-Fishing Foundation and Informa Middle East Limited, one of the region’s leading providers of high quality conferences, to organize ‘Aqua Middle East’ (AquaME) and ‘Aqua ME Summit’ in conjunction with AgraME taking place from 16-18 March 2015 at the Dubai Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Nor-Fishing Foundation was established in 1992 by the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries. Over the last 30 years, not only have they been responsible for organizing the Norwegian international fisheries exhibition “Nor-Fishing” – regarded as the leading international fisheries trade show – but also the leading international aquaculture venue “Aqua Nor” in Norway, making them the ideal international partner for AquaME.
The partnership is a move to consolidate and encourage cooperations to improve the aquaculture sector which falls in line with the UAE’s strategic objectives to promote food security and environmental sustainability contributing to the UAE’s Vision 2021.
The MoU was signed by MoEW Assistant Under Secretary for Support Services, Mr. Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi, and Nor-Fishing Foundation Chairman of Board, Mrs. Liv Holmefjord, and Informa Middle East Limited Exhibition Director Richard Pavitt, on 22nd of August 2014 in Trondheim, Norway in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed AlJuwaied UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.
Under this MoU, all parties will work in close collaboration towards promoting the development of the aquaculture and fishing industry by hosting an exhibition to attract local and international suppliers from within these industries. Furthermore, in parallel to the trade show, the AquaME Summit, the second edition of the Aquaculture Investment Forum, will be organized to bring experts and specialists from around the world to exchange experiences, transfer knowledge and review best practices, advances and innovations in research, science and technology — thereby strengthening the aquaculture and fishing industry in the UAE. The first forum, which was held in November 2013, saw the participation of scientists, speakers, international experts in aquaculture from within the GCC region and internationally.
Informa Middle East Limited will undertake the launch and organization of the AquaME Exhibition and Summit which will simultaneously take place with AgraME, a leading international agribusiness trade show. Holding these events simultaneously is expected to draw a large audience as well as local, regional and international suppliers to review the latest products and services in these industries.
A special committee will be formed to help in the organization of the AquaME Exhibition and Summit. The committee, will be composed of representatives from the MoEW, Informa Middle East Limited and Nor-Fishing Foundation, who will meet regularly to throughout the year to ensure the success of the event.
It is worth mentioning that the total current market valuation of investments in to the UAE aquaculture sector stands at USD 321 million, with 20 million of that amount being invested in to the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Marine Research Centre. The project, which was launched in February 2013, aims to produce 10 million juveniles per year of local indigenous species and will contribute to enhancing food security in the UAE. Furthermore, the center will support research focusing on overexploited species and habitat conservation measures.
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