As a key partner to HBK Department of Projects, GoChain is working with SMARTKAS by utilizing GoTrace, GoChain’s blockchain-based transparent asset tracking SaaS platform. In late July 2020 in Dubai, UAE, SMARTKAS B.V. signed a joint venture agreement with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, member of the Ruling Family of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and his business HBK Department of Projects. SMARTKAS’, an agricultural company based in the Netherlands, recently was awarded three prizes by main focus is to provide a smart agriculture based on zero energy; zero water and zero waste as below: Together with His Highness, SMARTKAS aims to spend the next ten plus years transforming many hectares of desert sand into a fertile, high-tech farms. Food security is a major concern in the Gulf region, with estimates that almost 90 per cent of food items are imported. Utilizing SMARTKAS units (“smart greenhouses”), the joint venture’s goal is to ensure that food security in the GCC area (Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) will no longer be an issue The first project will be a 10 hectare greenhouse just outside of Dubai. As a key partner to HBK Department of Projects, GoChain is working with SMARTKAS by utilizing GoTrace, GoChain’s blockchain-based transparent asset tracking SaaS platform. GoTrace, which allows individual items, parcels, crates and shipments to be scanned, tracked and traced for transparency and provenance, will be used be used to ensure end-to-end food traceability from farm to table. “Food security is among the top priorities for the Emirates, especially after the devastating impact of COVID-19. Our joint venture with SMARTKAS will bring about the future of agriculture in the UAE.”– His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan “As project promoters and investors we see the unique opportunity this collaboration brings to the table. SMARTKAS is a disruptive agtech company and together with HBK, we have our eyes on the bigger picture, which is ensuring food security in not only the UAE, but potentially the entire GCC area.”– Mr. Anwar Hussein, Group CEO, HBK Department of Projects Further reading on the joint venture can be found in a publication by The National. About SMARTKAS AgTech & Agri-Project Management enterprise regimagining and disrupting the industry by fusing the hydroponic greenhouse with ultra-high precision indoor and vertical farming technology; utilizing the best of both worlds in a seamlessly interconnected and cost efficient way. The SMARTKAS solution is driven by AI, Drones & Robotics, as well as a cutting edge Cloud-Computing Software. Most units are hermetically closed; the inputs (energy, water, CO2) are pre- and post-treated, enabling a pesticide and waste free production line. Hybrid lighting allows for 24/7 growth, with stable (high) yield year-around. In exchange for a larger upfront investment, each SMARTKAS unit has negligible operational expenses, providing Food Security As A Service. About HBK Department of Projects Departments of Project Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan (Department of Projects) was founded by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan a member of the ruling family and Chairman to handle project investments and enter into JV partnership with partners presenting viable and interesting projects with sustainability and job creation. His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is a seasoned business leader with a proven track record of success over the past two decades, across regions and including most segments of business. His leadership style is often described as visionary, innovative and inspirational.
