Investing in Regional Food Security

g the 10th event in the Global AgInvesting Conference series and the first time in Abu Dhabi last Februray 25 to 27 2013 is Investing in Regional Food Security. Details of the meeting are such:

Food security is a serious challenge for the MENA region due not only to the large imbalance of imports to exports as well as rising populations and demand for varied diets, but also because of the direct implications of water scarcity in these arid climates. Economic development strategies are increasingly committed to outsourcing food security by investing in international farmland. Investments by governments as well as the private sector in the area and abroad will be needed to ensure affordable food prices and stability in the region.

How active are regional governments in agriculture investments worldwide?
How crucial is the choice between pursuing food self-sufficiency and food security?
What are the incentives for private investors to invest in solutions to food security challenges? What ate the risk?
How will the outlook for global commodities prices affect food security strategies in MENA?
When outsourcing food security, what are the political and social risks in overseas farmland investments?
Which countries are most attractive for investment right now, from a risk/return perspective?
What investment can be made locally to advance food security strategies?
Which crops will be the focus for local production, which will continue to be imported over the next 30 years?

Moderator: Eckart Woertz, Senior Research Fellow Associate, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB)

Panelists:
Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, Chairman, Golden Grass Inc.

Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist, Bahrain Economic Development Board

Farid Masood, Director, Advisory Services and Asset Management ICD-Islamic Development Bank

Desmond Sheehy, Managing Director, Duxton Asset Management