HEC Paris seminar on agri-tech and food-tech sectors

HEC Paris in Qatar, in collaboration with Expertise France Groupe AFD, is set to host an insightful panel discussion on the agri-tech and food-tech sectors at its Msheireb Downtown campus on January 30, from 12 noon to 2 pm.

The discussion will explore the latest innovations and investments in these sectors, bringing together Qatari, GCC, and French stakeholders to address current agri-food challenges and share entrepreneurial insights.

The event aims to address concerns and opportunities arising from technology transformation, climate change, and global threats to food security. Investments in agri-tech and food-tech businesses, along with pilot projects, have increased worldwide, and many GCC countries, including Qatar, are at the forefront of this trend. The focus is on investing in food security through alternative proteins, high-tech production, new infrastructure storage, and improved distribution networks as tools to achieve economic diversification in the region, according to a press statement from HEC Paris in Qatar.

The masterclass will feature presentations and a panel discussion with prominent figures from the industry, including HEC Paris alumni. Ghanim Al-Sulaiti, Founder of Enbat Holdings and HEC Paris alumnus; Sophie Bénard, food strategist and HEC Paris alumna; and Hussein Al-Hussein, Regional Manager for the MENA region at Farm to Plate Company, are among the presenters. Dr Delphine Acloque, Food Security Advisor to the Ministry of Municipality of Qatar, will moderate the panel.

Panelists include Alvyn Severien, founder and CEO of Algama Foods; Ramzi Schumann, Director of Commercialization at Vital Foods Technologies and HEC Paris alumnus; Firas Khalil, Director of Information Technology at Baladna Food Industries and HEC Paris alumnus; Mohammad Batran, Group General Manager at Agrico Qatar; and Mickaël Boccacino, President of DiFFERs Company and HEC alumnus.