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The IOC’s Executive Director visited Saudi Arabia on September 19th, where he was received by the Head of Delegation from this new IOC member country. He then travelled to Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman on September 21st, where he took part in a workshop on the olive sector. On this occasion, Abdellatif Ghedira presented the IOC and its objectives, and explained what the Organisation brings to its member countries. He encouraged the attendees to consider setting up a physico-chemical analysis laboratory and a tasting panel to better control the quality of olive oils and combat fraud. He also recommended that representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture set up a research nursery to study the adaptation of olive tree varieties to the country’s climatic conditions. Contacts with the Sultanate of Oman’s Embassy in Madrid will be stepped up with a view to exploring ways of forging closer ties with the IOC.
The IOC Executive Director was also invited to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, by the Chairman of the Arab Authority for Investment and Development (AAAID), which contributes capital to 56 companies in 12 Arab countries with the aim of supporting their agricultural development. This authority encourages development programmes to support small farmers and develop local communities, provides consultancy services, and carries out feasibility studies.
AAAID informed the Executive Director of its willingness to work with the Organisation to support the financing of the olive sector in its member countries. Abdellatif Ghedira invited the AAAID to participate as an observer at the next meeting of the IOC’s Advisory Committee to be held on Wednesday 22 November in Madrid, where they will be able to present their initiative and explain to the Committee’s representatives the conditions and criteria for financing olive-growing projects.
