Singapore food businesses looking to expand reach to the Middle East must be prepared with next-level persistence and a longer-than-average financial plan to succeed – but the returns can be tenfold, according to industry experts.

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Channel News Asia by Melanie Oliveiro

26 Mar 2024

Listen to the podcast: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/daily-cuts/jisr-film-festival-4221381

Melanie Oliveiro finds out where in Singapore we can go to watch films made by moviemakers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and in the process learning more about modern Arabian culture – should we consider traveling to the GCC. The JISR Film Festival is an inaugural cultural festival that’s debuting in Singapore, featuring the works of established and emerging filmmakers. Cinemagoers will access a curated selection of 17 films representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment.

]]> https://www.swapac.com/gulfood-2023/feed/ 0 https://www.swapac.com/investing-in-the-future-of-cellular-agriculture-investor-perspectives-cell-agri/ https://www.swapac.com/investing-in-the-future-of-cellular-agriculture-investor-perspectives-cell-agri/#respond Thu, 30 May 2024 09:52:52 +0000 https://dalalalghawas.com/?p=627  

Asian Movie Pulse – Bridging CulturesInaugural JISR Film Festival Showcases the Best of Modern Arabian Culture in Singapore

By Suzie Cho

Published on March 2024

Original Source

Embark on an odyssey into the modern Arabian Gulf with JISR Film Festival, an inaugural cultural festival making its debut in Singapore. JISR offers an immersive experience introducing the rich cultural tapestry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to local audiences through a three-part program – a film festival (23-24 March and 30-31 March), a business conference (27 March) and an exclusive film studio day tour organised in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios (28 March). The event is presented by food security consultancy firm, SWAPAC, Singapore-based creative agency, Cinepluto in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, The Middle East Institute, Smart Cities Network and The Projector.

Using art as a medium to connect, JISR will kickstart festivities by bringing an engaging film festival to  Singapore, featuring the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the GCC countries. Over two weekends, audiences will get access to a curated selection of 17 films representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment. Screenings will take place at The Projector in  Singapore, a cinema known for its support for indie and thought-provoking films.

This includes the exclusive premieres of:

•  ‘To Connect’ – a behind-the-scenes documentary by director Amal Al-Muftah about the opening ceremony of the FIFA 2020 World Cup
• ‘Starchaser’ – an animated, sci-fi fantasy drama about a young refugee girl who bravely faces many hardships in her journey to overcome the loss of her family and home world
• Other notable filmmakers featured include Nayla Al-Khaja, UAE’s first female director, whose feature film for Dubai Expo 2020, ‘Road to Fulfillment’,
• Mansoor Al Dhaheri, director of ‘Swim62′, whose documentary made waves at the most recent COP28 summit addressing ocean conservation through the lens of sports,
• and Shahad Ameen, well-known for her award-winning film, ‘Scales’.

“We believe film and art has transformative power in bridging cultures and influencing trade. With JISR, we aim to introduce audiences in Singapore to modern Arabian Gulf culture and celebrate our ongoing relationship with the GCC. Through this vibrant exchange of creativity, our goal is to foster connection, embrace diversity, and break age-old stereotypes”, said Livy Von Goh, Founder, Cinepluto.

A business conference aiming to look beyond borders and horizons through its GCC-APAC Partnership (27 March)

On March 27, JISR transitions into a dynamic platform for thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and business stakeholders. Titled “Beyond Borders & Horizons: A GCC-APAC Partnership”, the one-day business conference held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove will bring together hundreds of industry experts, innovators, and influencers from both the GCC and Singapore. Attendees can expect insightful discussions, keynote presentations, exclusive short-film screenings and networking opportunities focused on fostering cross-cultural business collaborations and exploring new horizons of economic growth. Additionally, the conference will provide a unique platform for dialogue on key issues such as energy transition and sustainability, aiming to inspire vital discussions on these topics within the GCC and ASEAN regions.

Supported by strategic partners including the Singapore Business Federation, Middle East Institute of Singapore, and Smart Cities Network, the conference will inspire discussions on a range of topics that are not only important in today’s economic and cultural landscape, they also hold particular significance for both the GCC and Singapore. Conference tracks include: film & digital arts, AI solutions in media and entertainment, digital trust, energy transition in the GCC, smart cities, sustainability & ESG, space economy and food security.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council and Singapore share a rich history of economic collaboration, and there is still much opportunity to raise cross-cultural awareness and further unlock untapped mutual growth. We see Singapore as a gateway to APAC, facilitating the GCC’s diversification beyond oil & gas into other trade industries and opening doors for partnerships within the region. We are proud to debut the JISR Film Festival in Singapore, serving as a bridge to deepen understanding between both regions. By showcasing the diverse heritage of the GCC and creating a platform for meaningful dialogue, we aim to usher in a new era of collaboration and elevate GCC brand equity” said Dr. Dalal AlGhawas, Founder, SWAPAC.

Film Studio Day Tour – Iskandar Malaysia Studios (28 March)

As part of the JISR Film Festival, the public is invited to join an exclusive film studio day tour on March 28, organised in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios (IMS). A premier destination for filmed entertainment production in Southeast Asia, IMS features state-of-the-art film stages, TV studios, and extensive production support facilities. The tour offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to gain insights into the world of film production and explore potential partnerships between GCC and Asia Pacific regions. Registration is free via this link and limited slots are available.

ecoHarmony Fest – Ramadan Edition (till 9 April)

In addition to the film festival, business conference and film studio tour, JISR is also participating in the ecoHarmony Fest – Ramadan Edition, a 50-day festival featuring a bazaar with up to 300 retail and food stalls, accompanied by stage performances and a series of talks on topics such as parenting, healthy living, entrepreneurship and more. With its spacious set-up accommodating up to 1,000 diners at any one time, visitors can enjoy the diverse offerings of the bazaar while experiencing elements of Arabian Gulf culture brought to life by JISR.

Don’t miss this groundbreaking festival event that seamlessly blends culture and business, providing a unique platform for exchange and collaboration between the GCC and Singapore.

Things To Do In Singapore: A New Film Festival Debuts & More

Published on March 18, 2024

By Keng Yang Shuen

Original Source

Stories and narratives from the Arabic region are seldom heard in Singapore, but the new JISR Film Festival – Arabic for “bridge” – is looking to improve that situation, using cinema as a way to ahem, build bridges. More details on that below.

The inaugural JISR Film Festival is set to showcase multiple stories originating from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – a region which comprises of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Named after the Arabic word for “bridge,” it aims to bridge cultures through cinema, fostering connection and breaking stereotypes. There are six films on the line-up ranging from short films to documentaries, exploring a variety of themes such as sustainability, animation, sports, and female empowerment. Notable highlights include films like Nayla Al-Khaja’s documentary Road to Fulfillment Mansour Al Dhaheri’s Swim 62,  and the action anime The Journey.

The festival also celebrates women filmmakers with works like Shahad Ameen’s Scales and Maysaa Al-Mumin’s ..and I Was Left Behind. Additionally, the festival will be premiering the critically-acclaimed action film How I Got There – helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Dr. Zeyad Al Husainy and featuring a stellar cast led by Ron Perlman (known for his role in “Hellboy”), this thriller follows the journey of two young Kuwaitis as they navigate through the dangerous underworld of gun traffickers, terrorists, and local gangsters. The film earned the prestigious Audience Award for Best Film at the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival.

Original Source

Time Out says

The countries of the Arab world are cut from the same cloth, yet encompass a vibrant tapestry of dialects, cultures, traditions, and experiences. At the JISR Film Festival, get an insight into the colourful diversity of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through documentaries, comedies, dramas, and animations that span topics from sustainability to sports.

Highlights include the climate-focused documentary from the United Arab Emirates, Road to Fulfillment, featuring expert testimonials on the impact of agriculture, marine life, and bees; an action-filled animation The Journey, co-produced by Toei Animation (behind Digimon, One Piece, and Sailor Moon); Saudi Arabian documentary INSIYAB, which follows two men’s three-year-long journey of running and walking across several countries; and award-winning Scales, a woman-directed dystopian film about a strong-willed girl who lives in a fishing village with a dark tradition of giving up daughters to sea creatures inhabiting the waters nearby.

Each feature-length film at the JISR Film Festival will be preceded by two short films. Tickets are going at $15. Check out the full line-up and book your tickets at theprojector.sg/themes/jisr-film-festival/.

A three-part cultural film festival which aims to introduce the rich culture of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and break age-old stereotypes of the region and people will open in Singapore on March 23. 

“Through the JISR Film Festival, we aim to introduce audiences in Singapore to the rich cultural heritage of the GCC countries. Singapore has enjoyed decades of cooperation and trade with the GCC that dates back to the 1930s,” Dalal AlGhawas, founder of co-organizer SWAPAC, told China Daily.

Audiences will have access to a curated selection of 17 films, representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment 

“By immersing viewers in modern Arabian Gulf culture through film and art, our objective is to not only celebrate our ties with the GCC but also to foster meaningful connections and break age-old stereotypes,” she added.

The GCC consists of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The event, which will run until March 31, will feature the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the GCC countries. 

The nine-day “JISR (the Arabic word for “bridge”) Film Festival”, with a one-day business conference in between, is co-organized by food security consultancy firm SWAPAC in Singapore and Singapore-based creative agency Cinepluto in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore, Smart Cities Network and indie cinema operator The Projector.

Audiences will have access to a curated selection of 17 films, representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, along the themes of sustainability, animation, sports and female empowerment. Screenings will take place at The Projector in Singapore.

This includes the exclusive premieres of To Connect, a behind-the-scenes documentary by director Amal Al-Muftah about the opening ceremony of the FIFA 2022 World Cup; and Starchaser, an animated, sci-fi fantasy drama about a young refugee girl who bravely faces many hardships in her journey to overcome the loss of her family and home world.

Other notable filmmakers featured include Nayla Al-Khaja, the UAE’s first female director who was involved in the Dubai Expo 2020 promotional film Road to Fulfillment; Mansoor Al Dhaheri, director of Swim62, a documentary that made waves at the recent COP28 summit in Dubai, addressing ocean conservation through the lens of sports; and Shahad Ameen, well-known for her award-winning film Scales.

The event will also include a business conference, dubbed “Beyond Borders & Horizons: A GCC-APAC Partnership” on March 27, offering a platform for vital discussions on energy transition, sustainability, and other key topics within the GCC and ASEAN regions. It will be held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove.

AlGhawas said Singapore’s unique socio-economic and multicultural landscape positions it as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, notably the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN

The conference streams will include film and digital art, AI-driven solutions for media and entertainment, energy transition, smart cities, sustainability and ESG (Environmental, social, and governance).

AlGhawas said Singapore’s unique socio-economic and multicultural landscape positions it as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, notably the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. 

“Leveraging this, we envision facilitating the GCC’s expansion into diverse trade industries beyond oil and gas, while forging strategic partnerships within the region. There is immense potential for fostering cross-cultural awareness and unlocking untapped mutual growth opportunities. In future, we plan to adopt a similar model and potentially leverage cities like Hong Kong as a strategic gateway to new markets,” said AlGhawas, who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong.

An exclusive film studio day tour organized in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios will take place on March 28.

In addition to the film festival, business conference and film studio tour, the JISR is also participating in the ecoHarmony Fest – Ramadan Edition, which is a 50-day festival featuring a bazaar with up to 300 retail and food stalls, accompanied by stage performances and a series of talks on topics such as parenting, healthy living, and entrepreneurship.

“Drawing inspiration from Japan and South Korea’s successful media marketing campaigns, we adopt a similar approach for JISR in which we envision arts and films as a bridge to reach more audiences … as well as position the GCC countries as a premier tourist destination,” said AlGhawas.

“In the process of orchestrating the JISR Film Festival, we’ve recognized the paramount importance of inclusive programming. By curating a diverse selection of films and conference tracks, we’ve created a dynamic platform for dialogue, discovery, and cross-cultural exchange between the GCC, Singapore, and the broader ASEAN region,” said AlGhawas.

“Our collaborative efforts aim to provide an inclusive space that resonates with audiences from all walks of life, fostering a shared appreciation for cultural diversity and driving forward progressive partnerships,” she added.

Original Source

Following our content on homesteading, we prepared a live about hydroponics. 🌱
Ask your questions about this topic with our guest  @dalalalghawas  tomorrow at 15 pm. ⏲
You can already leave your questions in the comments and tomorrow we will answer them and bring you interesting topics about the world of hydroponics. Let’s go together? 😉

#hydroponics #live #sustainableliving #learning #homesteadinglife #homestead

Original Source

The inaugural JISR Film Festival in Singapore, to be held across four days in late March, presents a cultural odyssey of Arabian Gulf culture for Singaporeans to immerse themselves in.

Jointly hosted by food security consultancy firm SWAPAC, Singapore-based creative agency Cinepluto, in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, The Middle East Institute, Smart Cities Network, and The Projector, the festival will consist of a three-part programme. The film festival proper will take place over two weekends on Mar 23 and 24, and Mar 30 and 31. On Mar 27, a business conference titled “Beyond Borders & Horizons: A GCC-APAC Partnership” will bring together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and business stakeholders.

For those interested in an exclusive look behind the scenes, an exclusive film studio day tour organised in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios awaits on Mar 28.

JISR Film Festival 2024: Breaking Age-Old Stereotypes

Using art as a medium to connect, the JISR Film Festival will feature the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Over two weekends, audiences will be treated to a curated selection of 17 films representing the diverse cinematic landscape of the GCC, presented alongside the important themes of sustainability, animation, sports, and female empowerment. Screenings will take place at The Projector in Singapore, the beloved cinephile hotspot famous for its support for indie and thought-provoking films.

Original Source

Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to Rasameel Investment Company شركة رساميل للاستثمار’s Ramadan Ghabga by their CEO Dakhil Al Dakhil, CFA.

First of all I was really surprised with what went down!
This was not your usual Ramadan evening social, but rather a 30+ roundtable discussion with Kuwaiti VCs, Family Offices, PE Funds and startups. The level of openness was unparalleled to anything I have ever seen with the investor network in Asia Pacific.

The topic up for discussion was: ‘The Saudi Arabian Market Model’.
All participants shared their experience working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and what it meant for a Kuwaiti businesses expanding in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

💡 Here are my takeaways from that discussion:

🤝 KSA is less cut-throat and competitive and more welcoming to newcomers than in Kuwait.

🌙 The KSA market despite having the same dialect and culture is different than the Kuwaiti market. Especially consumer purchasing power and needs. KSA in general is a less premium market than Kuwait and other GCC countries, an example of this is that KSA customers tend to avoid subscription fees.

💰 Despite KSA having lower unit economics, higher volumes than Kuwait balance this out. Keeping in mind that the biggest city in KSA is Riyadh, contributing 40% of the market share. In Kuwait’s favour, KSA customers aspire to Kuwaiti cultural tastes, which are seen as more premium.

💴 Unlike Kuwait VAT is applied in KSA (15% VAT) and the UAE (12% VAT). VAT is not deducted on net income as it is usually passed onto the customer, thus EBIDITA should be unaffected, however COGS within KSA and UAE will be. Businesses need to plan and have overhead for VAT management and make sure to take no shortcuts on taxes.

🏛 There are indications that the Kuwaiti market is not the ideal gateway for KSA due to consumer demographics and business operations. For instance KSA supply chains are more fragmented than in Kuwait, you need a KSA partner, who is connected to government, and a hiring Saudis strategy as part of government policies to encourage Saudisation.

🥩 The KSA regulatory framework is fast evolving and business owners need to stay up to date, for instance it is expected that many KSA commercial kitchens will ban raw meat processing. Even within the GCC food regulations differ in KSA versus Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. Therefore businesses need to study all regulations across the region to benefit.

⚡ e-services are more advanced and coding literacy is higher in KSA than Kuwait.

💹 Kuwaiti companies should aspire to having first mover advantage in KSA rather than a sharp J curve.

🔦 Kuwait currently provides more innovation than KSA, however this is quickly changing due to added support and infrastructure in KSA supporting early-stage startups. In Kuwait, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems need to be ramped up to keep up and support entrepreneurs even more.

GCC #VC #growth #ksa

Original Source

A few weeks ago I was at one of Singapore’s biggest Food Conferences, Future Food Asia 2023. Over 250 attendees were brought together to share and debate Government, Corporate, Investor and Entrepreneurial perspectives on food innovation, carbon neutrality and food security.

The conference was opened by the FAO Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi, who shared that:
🔈 1.9 billion people in Asia could not afford a healthy diet in 2020 🔈 Asia Pacific have greater incidences of weather related disasters
🔈 Agrifood systems transformation requires strong partnership between all actors especially the private sector
🔈 We need large investments in frontier science, developing multiple applications and in scaling up innovations, with particular focus on the Global South

I was lucky enough to chair ‘Will Asia Pioneer Carbon Neutral Protein?’ debate, featured key experts from the dairy Richard Walton, aquaculture Lissy Smit, alternative protein Kate Blaszak, corporate, finance and intellectual property sectors.
Thank you to my gracious panelists for graciously debating this sensitive topic. In summary:
🍗 The responsibility of producing nutritious, sustainable protein while considering farmer livelihoods and unit economics were agreed upon
🍤 however there were differing opinions on the carbon neutrality of Asian terrestrial or marine protein production systems.
💡 To scale new protein technologies intellectual property is doing more harm than good, but this is problematic as it is intrinsically linked to company valuations.
🔎 Inclusion is required for all protein production systems to become more sustainable but who will cover the incremental costs of digital and protein transformation is yet to be decided?

A huge congratulations to the winning startups Koralo (alt-seafood) and Tidetron Bioworks Technology Co., Ltd. (synthetic biology to produce industrial chemicals) and Xsights Digital Pty Ltd (animal health management IoT) and notable mentions to Cherrp (biodiversity and food loss solutions) and TissenBioFarm (cultivated meat).

Thank you to ID Capital Pte and their amazing team Isabelle DECITRE Vandana Mathur-Dhaul Bingyu Zhuo Katy Su for hosting us at this memorable event.

Original Source